treeman Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 I only let my pair out (to free range the garden) when im at home would they be ok left out during the day? what do you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooner.girl Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 I used to let my 2 out in the day to freerange when i was out but one day the postman delivered a parcel round the back, left the back gate open and they escaped and a fox got one of them. Now they only free range when i am in which is a shame, occasionally i will leave them out if i am just going out for an hour or so but then i worry about them all the time i am gone and dsah straight in to check they are ok the moment i get back! I would love to let them free range all day but just don't want to risk losing one again. I think its down to personal choice in the end, but i felt so guilty when mine was killed that i just couldn't risk it again. Theres no right or wrong answer to this i think, it depends where you live, how secure your garden is etc. Good luck making the desicion. Helen BTW i got a run extension to add to my omlet run so they now have more space when they are in there during the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 We have a secure garden and no foxes but I keep my girls in the run when we're not around just to be on the safe side. It only takes a second for something to go wrong and I'm happier to leave them safe than to worry all the time I'm out ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 I'm of the same view as Kate. I have 7ft fences round the garden and a foxwatch (not that I've ever seen a fox lurking) but still wouldn't let my girls out of the run unless I was there to keep an eye on them. They seem quite happy in their run and some days when I let them out they're back in there within an hour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 mine get an hour or so free range in the morning and a few minutes in the evening (as long as it isn't dark - then they object and stay in the eglu). They love destroying the garden and finding treats. The trouble is when they free range Fenny has a wanderlust and frequently hops the fence and makes a bid for freedom (I was locked out of the house on tuesday for 3 hours as a result!!). The result is they can only free range when I'm around!! I would hate them to get eaten by Mr Fox! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabbagepatch Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 This seems to be a common concern amongst us. I only let mine out when I'm around and with the short days, it is often only at weekends. I have three girls in the basic eglu and run and feel really guilty that they are cooped up. I do give them lots of greens hung up, corn to scratch for etc. Is it acceptable for them to be in there for so long this time of year? Having asked that, I still prefer them alive and safe than dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Hi cabbage nice to see you. Haven't been on the other forum for a while. I prefer to keep mine in the run unless someone is in the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 I think it depends on your neck of the woods as well. My garden is surrounded by 6' fencing and enclosed by other gardens with 6' fencing. It is also a country village surrounded by well hunted territory. I've only ever seen foxes at night and away from the village. I let the chooks out from lunchtime and they put themselves to bed when ready, even if we are out for the afternoon. It's all down to risk assessment really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabbagepatch Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Hi cabbage nice to see you. Haven't been on the other forum for a while.I prefer to keep mine in the run unless someone is in the house. No you haven't!!!!! So go post there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesyboy27 Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 I let the girls out for the day we have 7' fencing around our garden totally enclosed. So far so good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesyboy27 Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Hi Martin B Noticed you have an eglu for sale how much do you want for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Here's the link to his post: click here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Hi Martin B Noticed you have an eglu for sale how much do you want for it £200, all the details are in the second hand eglu section! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Here's the link to his post: click here Thanks Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 My pleasure!!! I know just how hard it is to try and sell housing. Unless your name is Cavey on the forum!!! Who I said I'd buy the eglu off within about an hour of his post!!! Mine tend to get let out at about lunchtime by my Dad and stay out in the afternoon while I'm at school. It makes it easier and means they can have time out as I have rehearsals for three days of the week after school at the minute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 We are in the centre of Newbury - very towny lots of neighbours - no foxes. We have a completely sealed garden with high fences and walls. I let them free range when I'm not in. Also I have been known to leave the eglu door open until about 10.30pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyDaizy Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 We let our have the run of the garden when we are in and they seem fine. We have seen foxs around but when there is someone in they stay away. They wreck the garden but still we let them out. They have lots of fun playing with our rabbit smudge but we only out them away if we are out and at night. I think it is up to you weather you let your chooks out or not, but getting and extension is a good idea and hang up greens. Does anyone know weather we can feed the chooks bread??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 I was feeding mine bread, but then read that it is better toasted or soaked in a liquid otherwise it can cause impacted crop. (I think that was right!). Not sure what others do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 You are right Snowy bread needs to be soaked............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Thanks for that Nicola - I think it was your post I read then? Good thing - I've been merrily feeding them bread s"Ooops, word censored!"s since they arrived!! Not done any damage so far though, thank goodness! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 I think small crumbs are OK just large lumps of crust and bread need to be soaked in water............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Since Pirate died of impacted crop on New Year's Eve, I've cut down on feeding them bread even if it is soaked. I always soaked bread but perhaps served too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 re - letting them out im quite lucky as hubby on nights the majority of the time and I do days, so when I go to work (7am) I open the eglu door. hubby comes home about half hour later and lets them out of the run and ours happily free range in the garden all day till 4pm. (then its treats and bed! ) My girls hate it in the run - they love to be out and about. I've never seen a fox in our area - even though we are quite rural (we are in cul-de-sac 200yards from fields) I always keep an eye on them though. we have a caravan so go off on weekends, they stay in the run then - and its no problem to leave them fully stocked with food/water for 2 nights and leave the eglu door open. I might invest in a run extension though.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 YAY! You could get one or two more then...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 YAY! You could get one or two more then...... I really think hubby could be easily persuaded I said the other day I'd like more and he said "mmm, yeah another one would be nice"....but I would like 2 more because I'd worry one new chicken would get picked on by the other 2. If we had a bigger garden I am in no doubt he would allow me another eglu as he LOVES the eglu and adores the chickens.......more than me I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
