Ladylucan Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Two weeks ago we had a fire at our house, which two of my children and i just managed to get out of, ( my other two children were in their cabins asleep) Thankfully at the time the dogs and puppies ( have got 11) all survived just, but as we are not able to stay at home due to havin work done I think my girls are suffering,!! I am not there to let them out first thing, so they dont get to get out till about 9ish, then i have to shut them up around 4 when we leave the house, and they are not impressed, and some days they dont get to get out at all. I notice that my two little bantams and one of my light sussex are being picked on by the rest, and when i try and get them in at night am having a major job as the rest keep frightening them away. Could this have anything to do with me not being there and them having their routine disrupted. and do you think that they are suffering because of this?, I do try and treat them, but it is so hard as i have so much to do indoors at the mo, and though i make sure their food and water is topped up, and i have collected their eggs, i havent cleaned them out for a couple of weeks now. I feel so guilty not being there for them, do you reckon they do pick up on things like other animals do?, Thanks all for being a shoulder, xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Oh my, Tracey , sounds like you are having a real time of it, thank goodness you all are safe and escaped the fire . Were your chickens used to free ranging all of the time before? My two spend most of the time in the run - apart from about an hour between me getting home from work and it getting dark - but they seem fine....perhaps because they are used to this routine? Perhaps your ladies need to adjust to a new routine for the time being? I think that so long as you are doing your best, which I am sure you are, then you shouldn't worry. You have a lot to deal with at the moment, but the sooner this is sorted out, the quicker things can (hopefully) return to normality. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 Blimey Ladylucan....how dreadful for you. Glad you and your family are ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 Goodness, Tracey I am so glad you are all safe & well.What a horrible thing for you to go through I am not sure what to suggest for your hens.Is it that they are no longer free ranging, or are they confined to the the actual Eglu house for longer than normal. If it is the Eglu,then you could try putting them to bed with the door ajar,so that they can push it open themselves in the morning & let themselves out. They won't suffer from this tiny bit of change,you are absolutly doing the best you can in very difficult circumstances. Please try not to stress about the hens,although I realise how hard it must be. All the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 Tracey - what a terrible thing to happen - lucky that you all managed to escape without harm. I'd say the same as Sarah - try leaving the door ajar so that they can let themselves out in the morning. If you can angle the Eglu so that wind and rain don't enter too easily, then you can leave the door open all the time. We don't close any of our houses at night - even through this cold weather. I'm sure they must feel unsettled as well, but hopefully they will adapt soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 Oh Tracey, what dreadful news You are all so lucky to get out safely, I can't add anything to what has been said, other than I hope everything settles and gets back to as near normal as possible very soon. karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 So glad you are all ok Tracey! Can only add my endorsement to the above: the door, left ajar, would give them the option of getting out and about earlier. I am sure they will all adapt and be fine. I would imagine you have lots to think and worry about at present, so take care of yourself. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 I'm so glad that you're alright. I know that you sold your eglu in December, so the above suggestions probably aren't very helpful. However do you have a nearby neighbour that wouldn't mind popping over occasionally to let them out and shut them in? Just a thought, neighbours can be quite helpful like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 Just wanted to say glad you're all ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 So pleased you are all OK! Can't help much with the chickens though but I do know that mine seem to appreciate their routine and certainly seem to squabble a bit more than normal if they don't get let out for their afternoon gardening session! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 Tracey so glad you are all ok and got out of the fire in time. I dont really know what to suggest about your chickens that hasnt already been said - a kindly neighbour would help out im sure. My thoughts are with you at this time as it must be incredibly stressful for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 Tracey I am so sorry to hear about the fire.............Thank goodness that you all managed to escape, my thoughts are with you I know how traumatic these things can be............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 How horrible for you all Tracey. I'm so glad none of you were hurt and I hope all returns to normal soon. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladylucan Posted February 10, 2007 Author Share Posted February 10, 2007 Thankyou all for your kind words, it has been hard,and for some reason i have bad days where i get really tearful, but thankfully we had all the electric reconnected back up today, so its looks like another week or two and we can be back in the house and try to get back to normal. The girls do have a run on their house so they can get in and out but normally i let them free range in their outside pen, they seem to strain to get to the door first and i can see them at the fence looking at me as if to say , 'Look we are here, when are you going to let me out' and they do make me feel so guilty As for the little ones and the Penny, ( the light sussex) i really dont know what has happened there with them, guess once we get back into routine they will settle back down, Thankyou all again for your kind words, it means alot. Tracey xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 Oh, Tracey, I've only just caught up with this, what a horrendous experience for you. I'd have thought that the chickens were the least of your concerns under the circumstances. I'm only a few miles from you as I'm sure you know, if I can help in any way please give me a shout. (or a PM.... not far, but I might not hear shouts from quite that far down the A2 ). But I'll gladly help out in any way I can can.............. less commitments next week with 1/2 term and so on Take care all of you, thank goodness that you are all safe and well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymama Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 I've only just seen this too, and have strong empathy. I lost everything in a house fire too, years ago. Glad you're all ok. If the hens are still laying, then they're ok, I think. Thay're tough. Mine can be chased by the dog, pinned down and slavered over, and still get up, hide for a bit, then go to bed and lay an egg the next day, and the next, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
