3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[kevtheplumber]

Hi everyone, at the end of my tether here, we have 4 in a wir, we cant close the door as they go beserk at around 6 if they cannot get out as they all lay around that time, we have 2 cat boxes as well as the eglu, , so we leave it open, only problem is they now go absolutely bonkers at 615am , they have water, food, hanging greens, and extra nest boxes, we have had 1 day in about 3 weeks when there has been no noise. The neighbours have not said a word but im sure they are just being too nice, to be honest having to get up just to go and see them at 6 every morning is pushing my limits. Problem is all you have to do is go and see them, they are the same whenever I come home, they here my van and go mental until I pop in and see them, can anyone help here because if not im afraid im going to have to let them go and the girlfriend isnt going to let me replace them, apart from the noise they are brilliant.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Kev

[emchook]

I'm sorry I cant really help but have a look at this thread

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=60239&view=unread#unread

[patsylabrador]

What has worked for me so far is to scatter wild bird seed on the ground of the run. They love it and looking for it keeps them occupied until a more acceptable time. A hard crusty roll kept them busy for ages and I shoved a thick slice of bread in a fllower pot. All distracted them enough for about an hour. Good Luck.

On the other side, I saw advice on here to be in the garden with them and just ignore them so that they don't associate you with treats and fun! I tried it and it works. Good Luck!

[Mars]

Have you looked around for other breeds of girlfriends

[emchook]

I just realised what you meant Mars

[Porkypie]

Hi. Do you think they are being noisey to get your attention rather than egg laying excitement? Mine have been doing this. I was giving them greens and carrots in the morning so they started whinning and moaning (which got worse if they caught sight of me at the window) until I appeared with the goods. As it's been getting lighter it started to get earlier. I've started hanging a large bunch of greens up the night before and check their water then. I've stopped going out to them in mornings and after a week of this the noise has stopped. It's really hard to ignore the noise but this cold turkey approach has worked so far for me. I'm into stage 2 of letting them see me at the window (they get very excited) but I'm ignoring them.

 

Good luck!

[chelsea]

. I've stopped going out to them in mornings and after a week of this the noise has stopped. It's really hard to ignore the noise but this cold turkey approach has worked so far for me. I'm into stage 2 of letting them see me at the window (they get very excited) but I'm ignoring them.

 

 

I agree.

 

They do it for attention and their own way I've had 4 years of noisy chickens and now I have learnt to ignore it (just about! ). My OH says I am parnoid and the noise is much quieter than I think it is, so try not to worry about your neighbours. Try to put your foot down and show them who is boss maybe cut down on the treats and special treatment for a while and just give them a handful of corn just before bedtime to keep them going through the night. We have found closing the door and covering the cube with a dark cover will keep them quieter for longer. It was 8am this morning before we opened the cube.

[Busybird]

They are training you to do their bidding. When they shout you should immediately run to them and give them their treats.

 

Or you could decide that you are the cockeral in this flock and show them who is boss by ignoring them for several days (pellets and water only). This doesn't always work as they may try to train the postman, delivery man, neighbour or anyone else they hear around.

 

Is anyone at home to tell you if they are noisy when you are not there? Some chooks are noisier than others and harder to deal with but many are demanding attention because they normally get it. Stop being so accomodating for a few days and see if it helps.

 

I know it is hard - especially when the run is close to nice neighbours. A box of eggs, an apology and an explanation that you are trying to sort out the noise problem may help. You may even find that the neighbours haven't noticed the noise.

[kevtheplumber]

must admit they dont get many treats especially in the morning after waking me up, girlfriend does a lot of shifts and they are generally quiet, its just this early morning madness, ill try and ignore them, have tried last week but they just got noisier. Id be happy as larry if they shut up till 8am dont think anyone has a right to complain at that time. Might have a little chat with the neighbours as they are literally too nice to say anything, might chuck them a dozen eggs. How long does the squawking go on in general if you ignore? I mean how long would you leave it literally before you give in and go and see them.

[Tutti Frutti]

I was poo picking in the run with the girls the other day... they were quiet, bimbling around, little bit of scratching, nibbling out of the feeders... lovely quiet, peaceful, relaxing stuff.

 

Then Mr Frutti pulled up in his car on the drive (other side of the garden fence). They all stood bolt upright and silent until he slammed his door shut and then they started YELLING like the sky was falling in! And of course, he came straight up to see them and give them corn!!!

 

Cheeky monkeys

 

So he's now under strict instructions to ignore them. If they're being too noisy for too long, I might tell them off (no treats though! And I would consider a little squirt but haven't had to resort to that yet).

 

They are a worry, aren't they? Good luck!

[chocolateeclaire]

We had a similar problem and our house is surrounded by others so I was worried about neighbours.

However as with all animals (and children) it is just a case of establishing a routine!!

We started off by rushing out and trying to placate them with treats to shut them up - that was definately the wrong thing!!

So now they remain in the cube, which is covered with a blanket to make it a bit darker for longer, then they are let out into the run at 0700 with some corn and treats. If we are not at work they get they get let out into the garden at mid morning, other wise they remain in the run.

It took a week or so but they are now happy with this and even on my days off I am OK with dashing out in my dressing gown at 0700, then returning to bed!!

Good luck with getting your own routine sorted.

Claire

[Porkypie]

A blackout cover might help and a routine as described above. Throughout last summer I had the bok, bok, bokking at high volumes to be let out in the morn. I fitted a thick tarp cover which made it virtually pitch black inside. The problem I had was they started laying earlier and got to ~6am. Once they'd layed they wanted to get up and would let me know very loudly (regardless of how dark it was). If they layed later then they would stay quiet until then. I was on the brink of giving up as I found it very stressful.

 

My magic solution was going on holiday for two weeks last Sept Their door was left open so they could get up at their leisure and two weeks of no response to their noise seemed to make things a lot better This year I'm leaving their door open but was having trouble with moaning sounds linked to being given morning greens etc (as I mentioned above) but this hasn't been anywhere near as loud as the bokking of last year and one week of no going out to them in the mornings had made a huge difference...

 

Asking your neighbours and giving them eggs is a good idea.

 

Different startegies seem to work for different people

 

I hope you find a solution

[kevtheplumber]

Hi everyone, thanks for the advice, ive started as of today with the ignoring them scenario, they were a bit noisy this morning but actually settled down quite quickly , girlfriend saiod they were noisy everytime she came home but soon shut up , so all in all a good start to day one.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That's good . Be strong and don't let them win .

[Chucky1]

This book might help, then again it may just amuse

 

100 Ways for a Chicken to Train Its Human

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/100-Ways-Chicken-Train-Human/dp/0340910208/ref=pd_ybh_10?pf_rd_p=138755991&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0BHZVF97XHG7GXAKD9D0