Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Porkypie]

I spent all summer responding to my shouting Goldline wishing to rise earlier and earlier. Out I would run (like many others) to open the door. Keeping the door open meant even earlier morning shouting due to something scarey or early egg laying excitement. I went back to shutting the door after fashioning a double layer taurpaulin that fitted around their wooden home which (maybe?) delayed the shouting by 30mins.

 

So now the blackout cover is removed and there is no longer shouting to be let out. I opened the door at 9.30 this morning. Obviously the mornings are much duller but I swear the inside of their house is lighter now than when it had teh blackout cover in the summertime

 

Is it the cold? I am hoping this is a permanent change but I suspect as summer approaches the bad old noisey habit shall return!

[Saronne]

Enjoy it while it lasts!

 

 

 

Saronne x

[Valkyrie]

Yerk - I wish! I can hear mine at 8, so alarm on at 7.30 - I just about manage it. Although I agree they are more reluctant to get down the ladder once the door is open (doesn't stop them whingeing first though). I usually attempt to stick to the same time, so when the clocks change they get let out at 9 - occasionally a bit earlier. Like you it was an early morning call while I was in bed, often running down the garden with a hose to squirt them - helped a bit, but the best option was to drape black plastic over the back because we could see how light it was where the grey panel is - the green part was fine. Of course they were chomping at the bit, but it kept the neighbours happy. So here I am looking forward to a lie in soon - but then I wake up earlier too. I'd rather have the dark mornings to snooze an hour more.

[Porkypie]

I think they've lured me into a false sense of security

 

Another lay in today and let them out at 9. It may be connected to my Goldline laying in the afternoon rather than her usual 6am. I shall enjoy it while it lasts! I used to love the approach of summertime but I'm preferring my winter sleep quota

[docsquid]

I've got used to getting up at 7.15, but then I'm a morning girl anyway. If I want a lie in I get up, put out their mash and warm water, open the door, collect the eggs and go back to bed! They start making a real racket after 7.30. I think the neighbours are used to me walking round the back garden in red Crocs wellies and a dressing gown!

[Saronne]

I'm also out there everymorning wearing my dressing gown, stripey woolen scarf and red floral wellies! No longer care what the neighbours think!

 

 

Saronne x

[chelsea]

This is one reason why I love Winter!

 

My girls currently stay in the cube till almost 8am. Come the Summer they will be awake earlier but the black out blanket will keep them quiet until 7am which is more respectable than 5am!

[Hen Watch]

I am hoping this is a permanent change but I suspect as summer approaches the bad old noisey habit shall return!

 

I love and hate Winter in equal measures.

 

On the plus side...... I can leave the eglu door open 24/7 and the chooks don't wake up until 8am and are lovely and quiet all day long. On the negative side they get less free range time with the weather and go to bed early at 4pm.

 

However, summer arrives and they love free ranging all day, BUT, I have to go back to the routine of closing the eglu door every night and opening it at 7.15am daily, otherwise they will make too much noise too early.

[Cranfield Kate]

I'm out there in my PJ's (and hat, gloves, scarf andf coat) at 7.30 every morning, working on the principle of letting then out as soon as it's light. suspect i am making a rod for my own back when it comes to summer.

 

the neighbours watch me. and then when they see me in the pub they comment on my pyjamas. the pink ones with giant monkey faces are a favourite apparently.

 

sundays i go back to bed after I've done it. i have to have one lie in a week.