divinggatita Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 Hi Well today Lily and Primrose learned how to use the cat flap and hopped through it after the cat (its a clear flap)! They've been here nearly 2 weeks, no eggs yet but their combs are growing and staring to colour. They spent most of last weekend in the Kitchen whilst the fireworks were going off and roosted for a while under the table but eventually toddled through to us in the front room. Maybe they like the warm and feel too cold outside Trouble is I don't want to lock the flap as the cat is used to coming and going as she likes but as we are at work and school during the day I don't want Chickens making themselves at home inside and eating the cats food. We are letting them freerange at the moment otherwise they sit in the eglu all day and do nothing! I suppose I'll just have to cross my fingers that they only do it when I'm home. Anyone else have the same problem Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 I think thats brill, well done that clever hen How about getting one of those flaps with the sensor on the cats collar,so only she can use it? The hens will peck at it if they can't gain acess, but I am sure they will get the message eventually You can also get ones that lock both ways,so you could maybe lock the incoming bit,so the cat can get out if she wants, but no-one will be able to get in. Chickens are devoius creatures & I will bet thet they will pop in & make themselves at home while you are out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 Magnet lock cat flaps are great they only allow the cat with the collar magnet in I have a mean local cat that terrorises mine but at least I know it can't get into the house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divinggatita Posted November 9, 2006 Author Share Posted November 9, 2006 Good Idea maybe I should go for the magnetic locking sort. Mine does lock but I like Arwen to be able to get into the house in case of bullying by other cats (she isn't very brave she was a rescue cat and quite timid still). No doubt the girls would pinch the unlocking device off her and still come in! Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 You will find magnetic cat flaps here Christian x x x ps Kate you are sooooooo gonna regret teaching me the 'clicky' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 I've got a magnetic cat flap and the hens peck at it to get my attention. It stops the nieghbour's bully-cat getting in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 My chooks are also trying to get in through the cat flap but never thought they would manage it (now I know different). The problem is that all the chicken feed is just the other side We used to have a magnetic cat flap but the cat kept hooking a claw in the battery compartment and pulling it out - then wondered why he couldnt get back inside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Cooks Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 Oh no........ours have shown such interest in the flap, but I was convincing myself they'd never get in. It's the one place my poor baggy Boo is safe from inquisitive hens. Oh I do hope mine aren't as clever as yours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 Good Idea maybe I should go for the magnetic locking sort. Mine does lock but I like Arwen to be able to get into the house in case of bullying by other cats (she isn't very brave she was a rescue cat and quite timid still). No doubt the girls would pinch the unlocking device off her and still come in! Sandy What clever chooks They will prob sneak in close behind the cat when its going through the flap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divinggatita Posted November 10, 2006 Author Share Posted November 10, 2006 I've left them locked up in the run today whilst at work as they came visiting again yesterday afternoon. I wouldn't really mind (except for the cat food) as long as I knew they could use it to get back outside. So far they only seem to want to use it one way - in! The cat gets no peace at all now and to think I was worried about her attacking them. If she comes near me in the garden the girls chase her, she can't even go to the toilet in peace anymore- poor thing. I must spend the weekend training them to use it to leave the house. At least they too can escape to safety if my neighbour's Rottweilers come visiting, as they are trying desperately to get into the garden having smelt the chickens when they were grazing by the fence. I've used chicken wire to stop their puppies climbing through the current fence as they loved the girls when they arrived (I had 6 pupppies admiring them) but I don't think even these two would stand up to a pack of Rottweilers. Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 not totally related to this topic but Geri has found a very clever way to amuse herself when we are out at work. We have portioned off half of the lawn and borders for them for the winter but Geri loves the border by the patio and the free run of the garden In the summer she would happily escape* (*jump/flap/fly from the top of the Eglu into the garden) and wait for us to get home to put her back in their run. The other day i noticed that the borders by the patio were attacked as was half the garden and the chippings round the house. Checked around and no chickens were out and both safe and snug in the Eglu. I asked Joe when he got in had Geri gotten out in the morning and he had put her back in. But oh no! She's managing to jump over the chicken wire (its pegged in with bamboo canes to make their "run") scratch about at will then hop back in to go bed! I'm resigned that I have a totally unruly hen who does not like boundaries! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted November 11, 2006 Share Posted November 11, 2006 I'm resigned that I have a totally unruly hen who does not like boundaries! A xx Just like me then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
