4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[turner]

Hi,

I hope someone can help with this one. I got the Eglu and two chickens yesterday and all was alright until it was getting dark and they wouldnt go into the eglu. I tried the trick of putting a tourch into the box but they still did'nt seem to want to go in. In the end I had to crawl in via the small gate and nudge them in with my good lady shutting the door to the Eglu when they had gone in.

 

I have to say a rather unpleasent experience. Do we need to get them in and shut the door, or will they make there own way in and the door can be left open please can some one help us beginners with this question.

[Chickvic]

They will learn where their bed is, the first night we had ours they had to be helped in with a broom Our girls only took one night to learn and they went in no problem

[turner]

Many thanks for putting our minds at rest, is it neccesary to shut the door at night, we have got the screw in pegs lockated in the ground to prevent any unwanted intruders.

[Egluntyne]

The Eglu is only considered foxproof if the door is shut. The run is considered fox resistant.

 

I don't close my Eglu doors, but you have to weigh up the risks based on knowledge of your area and its fox population.

[turner]

Many thanks for all the advise, we'll see what happens tonight, will report back on progress during the week.

[Chickvic]

I shut the eglu door and let the girls out at around 7am. I've been doing this for about 12 months now because last summer we had some early wake up calls - about 4.30am They don't go to bed until about 10pm at the minute but I just go and shut the door when I go to bed.

[rufusrooster]

whilst the girls are rising before me the eglu door will be left open but once the nights get shorter and i'm getting up whilst its still dark i intend to shut the door on a night,

[rufusrooster]

our girls knew where there bed was on the 1st day no problem, and i kept them in the run for 5 hours before freeranging them, no way i could wait 5 days as reccommended

[annettec]

We used the broom method with our girls initially when they didn't roost at night, but someone on the forum recommended placing a torch in the house at dusk and it worked a treat and is much more dignified for the girls.

We only used a torch for 2 nights and then they got the hang of it and went by themselves after that.

[Lea]

What is the broom method? 

[Lea]

What is the broom method?