ladyjulian Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 When we got the chickens, the various book / internet resources suggested that sunrise was the best time to nip out and open the pophole to let the ladies out into their run. That was great when we got them in January, because it pretty much coincided with when I get up (7.30ish) and in early Jan I even had time for a hot cuppa before braving the snow! But now when I get up to let them out, they've obviously been awake for an hour already, as they start clucking as soon as they hear my footsteps and come clattering down the stairs for the food & water like there's been a famine (I have melodramatic chickens). The obvious thing to do right now is to get up an hour earlier - not a biggie - but by the end of April sunrise will be 5.30... and by the end of May 4.30... and they'll be going to bed later and later. I know that in the really high summer time when it's warm outside, I can leave the pophole open, but in the meantime I want a compromise that means the ladies won't get grumpy with my slothful rising times and which doesn't mean I have to be up at 5am in spring!! What time do you get yours up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanTheDiver Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I started leaving my cube door open of a night time from last Friday night and the girls are absolutely fine. I ensure I top up their grub and glug before leaving them and just make sure the fox proof door is shut properly. In the morning I get up when I want and go out to say good morning to them. I check that the glug hasn't frozen and break it up if it needs it, but they make a hole in the ice themselves before I get there. They are more than happy to be able to come and go as they please, In fact they actually seem more relaxed too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I cover my coop with a blanket to keep it darker for longer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyjulian Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 I started leaving my cube door open of a night time from last Friday night and the girls are absolutely fine. I ensure I top up their grub and glug before leaving them and just make sure the fox proof door is shut properly. In the morning I get up when I want and go out to say good morning to them. I check that the glug hasn't frozen and break it up if it needs it, but they make a hole in the ice themselves before I get there. They are more than happy to be able to come and go as they please, In fact they actually seem more relaxed too. And they're not too chilly? If I can leave it open that would be great - they're fully foxproofed, and I think they'd prefer it if they could get up when they like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyjulian Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 I cover my coop with a blanket to keep it darker for longer! A cunning plan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanTheDiver Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 They don't seem to be chilly, in fact I have two that regularly sleep hanging out of the door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I have 2 cubes attached to my WIR, is on the wheels as per Omlet recommendations, the rests on the ground as the batties were not keen on the highrise elements of the .........I used to leave the doors open until I discovered rat droppings in my poo trays ........that door certainly gets shut now!! If there's a chook on door duties, ie pretending to be a door, I don't shut the , but still have to remove all the feeders so I have to rise at stupid o'clock to reduce the racket the chooks create whilst waiting for my arrival At the mo, dawn is just about manageable, as you say 4.30 will not be funny, hopefully we'll have stopped the rat problem before then Last summer they got up & ate to their hearts' content, as I left the feeders etc out for them, they weren't any noisier than if they were contained, in fact quieter I think & less trouble as they could wander happily in the WIR rather than being cooped up & crabby. Good luck in finding the solution that works for you........ Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISCA Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Do the automatic pop hole openers not work with cubes and eglus? I am getting one as I have no intention of getting up at 4am for anyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I'm getting up at 7.00 at the moment to let them out. I know they will have been awake already for a good half an hour at least, but they seem pretty well behaved and not too shouty. When the weather warms up a wee bit more I will leave the coop door open all night and just lock them in the run. I am hesitant to do so at the moment as there is an enormous fat rat living in the neighbours garden and I am bringing the food in at night to discourage it from our garden. They have had the rat man out so hopefully it (and no doubt its 5000 babies) will be dead soon. Rosie is also having a mega-moult and is so sp"Ooops, word censored!"ly feathered I think she needs every extra bit of warmth at the moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
