patsylabrador Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Although I've found some useful info on this forum about this subject, would you mind giving me some more. The chickens were starting to call earlier and earlier, even on darkest mornings and so yesterday I tried leaving their door open ( I have a wooden coop) but this made things worse. They got out, presumably didn't find me or their food and seemed to panic, fretting at wire on run and making a LOT of noise. Last night I fashioned a blackout (out of a toilet roll and sticky back tape - if you don't get that, ask someone you consider to be old) and they are so quiet - 7.30am. My question is - what happens as summer rolls on for you, do you have to get up earlier and earlier if leaving door isn't an option or does the blackout idea keep them calm until a reasonable hour. I like to get up around 6am so that is reasonable to me. Thank you and I hope you all had a good Christmas, or at least a passable one for those of you that were unwell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Hi Patsy! Well your girls are certainly up early I cover my house with a picnic blanket, the kind that has a backing on it. As the year rolls on, and it's less damp you could the the door open and the food out, as long as your run is safe incase it attracts Mr Fox! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 mine get let out at 7:15 in the week when I'm at work reguardless weekends some times the same time if I've got things to do or it's about 7: 30-7:45 the last few days It's been gone 8:00 but it was still dark and they only mutter they're disgust lukerly Big Red hadn't layed early otherwise the whole estate would have know about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Hi, I don't get up at 5am in summer They had spells of being a bit noisy in the mornings but on the whole were fine until 7am ish in the middle of the summer. They all vary and some people have had real problems and some none. Hope you are lucky. Strangely most of us who reported them making a noise and fretting about it found our neighbours weren't bothered at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 I cover my house with a picnic blanket, the kind that has a backing on it. I do the same all year around. In summer it keeps out the light in early mornings and they are let out at a more appropriate hour of 7am. My door is shut all year also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted December 28, 2009 Author Share Posted December 28, 2009 Thank you for reassuring replies. Black out has certainly worked well the last two mornings. I have also given them filling treats and more feed in the afternoon in case they were getting hungry. Usually they make a dash for their food bowl in the morning, but now they concentrate their efforts on squeezing out of the run door when I leave. Always something new to think about with chickens it seems. Getting lots of lovely eggs though after a very slow start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 Ahhhhhhh pleased you've had an improvement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
