Smart Door Power Options

[Chucky Mama]

I am convinced that rushing down to deal with noisy chickens trains them to make a racket until you let them out. A bit like Pavlov's dog (Pavlov's chickens ).I used to do it as I thought that they were disturbing my neighbours. They then started to do it earlier and earlier. I finally plucked up the courage to ask my neigbours if they were being disturbed and they weren't! I the started to leave them when they made a noise and it pretty much stopped. I do however leave them shut in the Eglu now which keeps them completely quiet.

[chelsea]

I agree Chuckymama. Today my lot started when I was drying down after a shower, normally I would have rushed down and ssshhhh'd them up but I thought no I am not going to run out to the little monkeys and left them. After 5 minutes they shut up!

[fluffyknickers]

Its a tough one!

 

I have been leaving the door of the cube half open for a few mornings and they have been coming and going as they please.

 

Hard to know if this is making any difference as I am at the front of the house and only hear them if I am up early in the kitchen or bathroom and not been for a few days.

 

I am on the look out for some tarp and someone suggested I go to the army and navy store in town so going to have a look there and chuck that over the cube and shut the door and then have a listen.

 

Would hate to think they are annoying people and waking them up as if anyone wakes me or my kids up I am VERY annoyed.

 

x

[quickcluck]

I've covered mine with a pink picnic blanket tonight! Hoping to go past 5.30am

[cavysqueak]

I'm so glad that we are not alone in having noisy girls! We are leaving the door open as they were noisy when they were locked in & the weather is getting a bit warm. Unfortunately they are now MORE noisy!

 

I'm worried about complaints from neighbours as well. Although they are generally supportive.

 

I know people have been talking about leaving an airflow, but will it not overheat in the Eglu? After all they have been designed to work (!)

 

We will try it anyway as we need to try something! Thank you for all the hints.

[urbanchick]

Hi, been through this big time last summer. You need a blackout tarpaulin - olive green pvc tarp from tarpaflex or tarpaulinstogo. Buy some extra bungee clips from Omlet, just like the ones that come with the shade, quite cheap, to clip it on to the run and it won't budge even in a gale. Let them out at the same time each morning. Then you can look forward to the winter months when you can have a lie in

[Cyber Chook]

I've placed a large horse rug over the cude to make darker and started shutting the door again.. this worked for about 3 days then they started shouting loudly to be let out at 5.30!

 

Egg Lou, FoxFighters and others, I have the same problem as you all. I'm so close to giving up... tried the huge, dark tarpaulin and closing the Cube door. Just like you, it worked, but they quickly started up again. Even with our bedroom being 50 feet away, with double-glazed windows CLOSED, they still wake me. And we have our own resident A Level daughter (oh, and a GCSE one as well).

 

Now, going off on a slight tangent, and I'll maybe post this as a new topic as well: has anyone noticed a drop in egg production alongside keeping their chooks in the dark for longer? We're down to one or two per day (they're 1 year old). Mr Cyber Chook has a theory: because they're missing out on around 3 hours of daylight, is this having an effect on their egg production cycle ? I think he has a good point . After all, in battery egg farming they keep the lights on in order to get more eggs!

 

I've reached the point where it really isn't fun any more - noisy chickens hollerin' at 5.45am Sunday morning, and 1 or 2 eggs a day...

 

Caroline

[Falkor]

Sorry to hear some of you are having a bad time of it at the moment. I have a limping chook at present but that is another thread!

 

Re the noise and covering of the cube issue I found that you have to make sure it really is covered! Even the slightest crack of pure daylight and my lot will be hollering.

 

My tarp is tented over the cube, not tight fitting, but does cover down to the ground so light can`t get in. You would be surprised how much light gets in at the poop tray slot when it is not covered! I have done the put your head in through the pop hole whilst OH puts towel over you test!

 

I also believe that routine is key. I started covering the cube in April and they are let out at 7.30 each moring. There have been a few days when they have created much earlier but I have stayed strong (for the most part ) and left them shut in there. TBH the days they created I may have not put the tarp on quite as I should or had a few mins lay in.

 

Re Cyberchooks comments on reduced egg production I would have to disagree as I am getting 21-24 eggs a week at present from two hybrids and two Orps.

[urbanchick]

Cyber Chook what sort of tarpaulin do you have? I wasted money on a standard dark tarpaulin before getting the heavy grade pvc one which is absolutely blackout. I agree with palmer07 - you have to make sure no light can get through any cracks.

Here is a demonstration of my covered cube:

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/2402682_hxPRd/1/555301456_8nGri/Medium

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/2402682_hxPRd/1/555301587_i4CKZ/Medium

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/2402682_hxPRd/1/555301808_MADPF/Medium

[Jennyhenny]

urbanchick, Don't know if its just me but I can't get to look at the photos it says I need a password

 

I would love a look to see how you have done it

 

 

Jennyhenny

[Jennyhenny]

Ignore that Urbanchick just looked again

 

Jennyhenny

[Falkor]

says I need a password ?

[BarbaraJ]

The hint to password is on the page

[Falkor]

The hint to password is on the page

Blonde day!!!!

[quickcluck]

where did you find your tarp can we ask?

[urbanchick]

Yes the password always catches people out, I've tried to make it as obvious as possible!

I got my tarpaulin from tarpaflex.co.uk or tarpaulinstogo.co.uk, they both do the same product. Here's a link to one of them:

http://www.tarpaflex.co.uk/acatalog/heavy-grade-tarpaulins.html

[fluffyknickers]

so I get the right stuff and dont waste money on tarp that is going to be useless does anyone have a link to the one to buy?

 

Planning on going to the army and navy store but by the time I get chance prob quicker to buy one on line and have it delivered!

 

I am planning on getting a large piece of tarp and then strapping it all down with bungees or tieplastic things (cant think of proper name! ).

 

Its like having kids as my two children's rooms have to blacked out or they wake early!

 

x

[quickcluck]

I've used tarpaflex before and they deliver very quickly

 

I think you are right mazzy, just order it and save the time and petrol!

[Cyber Chook]

Re Cyberchooks comments on reduced egg production I would have to disagree as I am getting 21-24 eggs a week at present from two hybrids and two Orps.

 

Palmer07, I was getting 4 or 5 a day too - they were laying really well when they were probably the same age as yours, but in the last few weeks it's dropped off dramatically. I simply cannot work out why. 0-2 eggs a day is not financially a good exchange for all the TLC they're receiving!

 

Re: the tarpaulin, I'll check for light getting in now. I believed it was lightproof, but I could be wrong. I've covered the Cube in the same way as on the link kindly provided, but it isn't that solid PVC-looking tarp.

 

I can see more expense looming

 

Caroline

[Falkor]

Pics are on the camera but I can`t find the cable!!!!!

 

Will post as soon as I find!!