freerange Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 Hedwig has started roosting in a tree instead of going to bed in the eglu with the others. Should I try to make her go in the eglu at night, or will she be ok up there? With the cold nights we've had recently up a tree is the last place I'd want to be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 I had a friend who rejoiced in the name of Zillah some years ago, and her chickens always roosted in trees, no matter what the weather was doing, and despite having a state of the art (pre Eglu) des res purpose built at great expense. I don't recall there being any fox mishaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabbagepatch Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 one of minetries to do this.. i find it so stressful, trying to herd them all into the eglu and thinking, if i get too stressed they will all vanish up a tree. at times i feel tempted to just pamper them intheir run and not let themfree range. then i feel really bad and guilty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freerange Posted November 6, 2006 Author Share Posted November 6, 2006 Last night she opted for the red eglu on her own, so at least we were spared the worry of her being spooked by the fireworks. I'm going to keep a closer eye on them at bedtimes & make sure there's no squabbling going on. Funny thing is, she prefers to sleep in the nestbox rather than on the rungs when she's in an eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 we have lots of squabbles here at bedtime. when I go out to shut the door yoy can hear them arguing - "no im sitting here, you can sit there" and lots of shuffling and thumping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romany Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 Mine go through spells of roosting up trees and shrubs rather than the eglu and I've given in and let them sleep where they choose - I just couldn't be bothered chasing them down with a torch every night. In fact while it was warmer I never shut them away at night at all - both run and eglu were left open constantly... I just kept my fingers crossed that the foxes don't come and touch wood they haven't called so far. Since it's been cold they seem to prefer to retreat into the eglu (all 5 of them in the same one) and they all try to get into the nest box! Most nights only 2 end up in it, but sometimes 3!!! Perhaps they don't like the roosting bars I think they will be fine if you leave them to roost where they please... as long as you are aware that they would not be spared should a fox pay your garden a visit. It's a risk that you will have to weigh up for yourself on your little chooks behalf... Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
