winnienel Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Hi WIR owners, now that the mornings are getting lighter and the chooks want to be out and about before me, I was wondering whether to leave their pophole open all night. I consider my WIR to be fox proof, but as it is a home-made jobbie, I couldn't really be sure. Is it safe to do that yet (or ever)? Has the 'starving foxes season' finished? Looking forward to hearing from you all Winnienel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISCA Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Have you considered an automatic pop hole door opener? http://www.woodenart.org.uk/categories.php?category=VSB-Automatic-Pop-Hole-Door-Openers I have no experience of them myself but it may be a viable alternative? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 My cube doors have been open on all but the most frozen of nights all winter, if you are sure the run is foxproof then go for it........be aware though that the mornings are getting earlier and chooks can be noisy minxes if they are up even if "Ooops, word censored!"ody else is My rabble are far enough away to not cause a problem, but thought I'd mention it in case it hadn't occurred to you Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I left mine open for the first time last night. THe chickens were happy pottering around this morning. I was a little bit of a wimp though - I send hubby up the garden to do a head count and make sure that all were present and correct! For other experienced people - my Banties are 11 and 14 weeks now - is it ok to leave their door open at night or is it still too chilly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Have left mine open for the last 2 nights, two reasons really, at weekend I can now have a bit of a lay in and during the week they can have a lay in all throught the winter I have woken them at 5.30 before I leave for work so felt really guilt ( Sad I know ) + WIR Lavender Mable Marjorie Violet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I left mine open for the first time last night. THe chickens were happy pottering around this morning.I was a little bit of a wimp though - I send hubby up the garden to do a head count and make sure that all were present and correct! For other experienced people - my Banties are 11 and 14 weeks now - is it ok to leave their door open at night or is it still too chilly? Personally I shut my Pekins in at night until they were about 20 weeks or so..........I'd keep the door shut until the frosts & snow have finished & the nights are a little warmer. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnienel Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 I'm relieved to hear that a few of you are also leaving the door open at night! It feels like a difficult transition 'just in case' there is a weakness in the WIR and there may be a few hungry foxes still around! I will look into an automatic pop hole - sounds like a very sensible idea. As the temperature is forecast to drop to -3 tonight though, I think I'll go down the garden, close the door and keep them snuggly warm! Winnienel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 I think there are two questions here: 'Is it ok to leave the door open' ... and my answer would be yes, IF your run is foxproof. It's a matter of choice, but I leave the door open almost all the year round. The other question: 'Has the starving foxes season finished' - I'm afraid the answer is NO, and it never finishes. If you read back through threads on here, you will find people who've had their hens 'foxed' in midsummer, in the middle of the day, in fact all year round. They are particularly desperate in winter, but there is no season when it's safe to take risks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoura Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 I leave the door to the coop open all the time. I have paving slabs all round the WIR so as far as I know it is fox-proof.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squawk Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 I would recommend the automatic door opener, its the best thing we've bought! Just make sure that when you set the closing time that you leave a fair amount of time after their normal bedtime. One of our girls got locked out after she popped out for a quick evening snack! It was ok though as she let us know by making a right racket! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
