folkwife Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Hello all you chicken folk! Tried to post yesterday but must have done something wrong! We've had our girls for a week now and enjoying every minute so far. I'd appreciate any thoughts you have on the following... We were told that there was no need to close/lock the pop hole every night unless it was particularly cold, and as the run is fox-proof this seems to make sense (and suits me, not being an early riser!). I've half-closed the door to give them a bit more shelter, as there are only 2 at the mo, but what do other folks do? If you shut them in are they mad to get out as soon as the sun comes up? Is it OK to top up the pellets in the grub or should they be emptied out and if so, how often? And finally, I have some supermarket cider vinegar - not ACV but unpasteurised & no preservatives - is this any good or should I save it for my chutney?! Any advice much appreciated, Now waiting (im)patiently for our first egg!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Hello and welcome the to forum I never close my cube door, I have a walk in run now, but didn't when I had my cube run either, although I feel duty bound to mention the Eglu run is fox resistant not fox proof, although some people weight the skirts down with stones or pegs (or both if you are paranoid like I was ) With regard to the grub, I used to wait until it was empty-ish, then empty it, wash it and fill it again. Now my lot are emptying mine as fast as I can fill them I use normal cider vinegar and it works fine Enjoy your girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vivihen Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I'm not an earlybird either, but I've always shut the door fully partly because we have a neighbour who complains about everything and partly because I don't like leaving food in the run for slugs or rats. I've only had the chickens for just over a year and they have been let out between 7.30a.m. and 8.00a.m. all that time. My husband leaves for work about 5.30a.m. and he was saying the other day that he's never heard a peep from them. Use the books as a guide but do what is best for you, you'll work out your own routines after a few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I let my chooks about about 6.30 during the week and slightly later at the weekend. i always take the food in at night as I don't want to encourage rats. they don't seem to mind being shut in and cluck quitly in the mornings whemn they hear me coming to open the door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I do just the same as Coco . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Strictly speaking the Apple Cider Vinegar should be the rough, cloudy, unrefined sort, as this is the one that provides the health benefits. Sold at equestrian suppliers. It works out far more economical in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
folkwife Posted September 19, 2009 Author Share Posted September 19, 2009 Thanks for your thoughts everybody, take your point about the run (and yes I have paving slabs on the corners!) and will find my own routine with everything else. Barbara was in the nesting box today but no egg yet.... we've all had a lovely day in the garden though! All the best, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozboz Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 i tend to close my door most nights, im one of those daft people that thinks if im cold everyone or everythings cold im also silly because i to like a lie in on a sunday, so i tend to get up at about 7.30 / 8am and open the door for them then i head straight back to bed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Hi there Nice to meet you! We used to shut the pop door at night, but then I am obsessive compulsive where my girls are concerned Now, with their walk in run, we just leave it open all the time so they can pootle in and out as they please And be warned, the excitment in ourhouse the day we had our first egg was incredible! Went to work and had to tell everyone about it - they must've thought that we'd gone utterly bonkers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Hello welcome to the forum I always shut my door, but have forgoten twice and thier was no harm done. I usually let mine out 7ish then go back to bed xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
folkwife Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 We got our first egg today , from Babs - small, speckled and perfectly formed! and I was out so I heard the news from OH who had all the excitement.... but it's me that picks up the poo!! Typical! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Congratulations . I hope he's going to let you eat it to make up for it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 My OH found our first egg too - every morning he raced out to let the girls out of the cube and every morning returned, no eggs. Then one morning there was a screech of excitment and he hurtled into the kitchen cradling one egg in his hands (am slightly sheepish to admit that we shared that first egg with toast cut into soldiers ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
