Scramble Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 ...is anyone closing there's yet? I normally leave the door open in the summer so the chickens can come and go as they please in the mornings, but in the winter I like to close it once they've gone to bed and I get up to open it for them in the mornings. So, is it time to start closing it yet?Especially since one is moulting? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I haven't started closing my cube door yet, but as you have a girl moulting now, it may be an idea JJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I normally don't feel the need to close ours until the nights get below 5degrees C as the cube is quite well sheltered. As an aside..... However, my girls' internal body clocks appear to be getting them up at 5.45 at the mo, even though it's still dark!! So I'm going to shut the door for a few nights to get them out of the habit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I always close and lock each night - but let them free range all day every day even when we are out - do no logic there then! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 We always do...but that's so they're not too noisy in the mornings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I don't close mine unless very cold temperatures are forecast. I think I closed it about four times last winter when it snowed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 When I did leave my door open - I close it now as they are quieter in the morning, I used to close it about 2/3 of the way so that they could shelter behind it if they wanted to but could squeeze out in the morning. It is amazing how small a gap they need to comfortably get in and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BocBoc Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 We would still be leaving our door open if we had our previous three girls but with Mr Fox lurking every night and four new hens, we've taken to closing the door at night and opening it about 6am Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I always close mine - just in case. Saronne x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted September 8, 2009 Author Share Posted September 8, 2009 Thanks everyone I think I'll close it from now on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I close the which has Mum & babies in, but the others are all open all night, though unless i can get Blossom some friends, I'll start closing up as she's in there on her own....and I don't want her to get chilly in here all on her lonesome . Once the weather closes in a bit more I'll start shutting the others in as their doors all face northish (towards a hedge but still a chilly direction) Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 We always do...but that's so they're not too noisy in the mornings! Same here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 We always close ours, as soon as it gets dark. Then they're let out as soon as it's light. Can't be too careful with foxes and mink about. Trust in God but tie up your camel, (old arabic saying). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymummy Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Hi I leave mine slightly ajar. The handle at the top is fully up and the door half an inch or so open, that way, they are sheltered and can push their own way out in the mornings. I left mine open all summer last year but I think it's been colder this year and I had to introduce 2 new hens this year and they needed to be forced to "get on" as it were! It gave the new ones an emergency exit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 I always close mine....tragedy struck here when not only the run failed to be closed properly whilst we were away, but the door wasn't closed either...I'm not taking any chances at all with my new girls...but I don't have a WIR just the usual omlet one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I have a walk in run but still close the Eglu door every night as we get a lot of foxes and even though I know the girls are safe-I wouldn't want them scared of a fox prowling around the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavysqueak Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 We always close our Eglu door - but only because the girls make such a racket in the morning it was embarassing and must have been waking the neighbours up! They still 'cackle' to themselves, but behind the closed door, so it's much quieter!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 We've been closing ours since we've got it unless we know that we are getting up late the next morning! Mind you, with the mornings getting later as it were, the girls are still in bed when I open the door at 6am. A couple of times they have come out then and grumbled that it's too early! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh sarah Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 hi i leave the eglu open, the 2 pekins live in there within the walk in run i have had to close the cube door because they would get up at 5ish sometimes and wake us and i was worried they would wake the neighbours they get let out at 7am now and seem happy enough, they are allowed all day freeranging so they are spoilt sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyDaizy Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Hia folks We always close our Eglu door at night, even in the summer as we prefer them not to come out at 5am and CLUCK loudly!! Usually 7am so its never late that we let them out. They are fine about it. Doesnt seem to bother them with the lack of food/drink all that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
