How high can a chicken jump?

[CallyChook]

I think I do what most have said they do on this topic - they get let out at about 7am and shut back in again after they've all pottered off of their own accord. Mine must be lazy as they don't come back out again when I go to the garden, instead they get irritated when I shut the pop hole, then open the nest box flap to count and make sure they're all there. The younger chicks still need lifting in, they dont seem to have cottoned on to going to bed in the shed, but having been in our lounge during their rearing it'll take a while for them to get used to living al fresco.

 

Both the shed and coop are in my garden which is not fox proof, so both are secured up each night. In the winter they normally get let out in the morning when both OH and I go to work at 6am which I hate, as Mr Renard is still at peak activity - but this winter I'm on maternity leave so I'm much happier. Also I'm saving up for an automatic pop hole opener although this wont work on the shed.

 

I wish OH was a bit more DIY-minded... he works at a builders merchant but has no idea how to use the stuff he sells!!!

[MarkBevBen]

Hiya Deb and everyone

 

Ours seem to tottle off to bed of their own accord just as it's going dark and that's it for the night. We close the Eglu door once it's gone dark or have noticed they're all in. I always say nighty-night girls, sweet dreams!!

 

In the mornings it's either Hubbly or me opening the Eglu door, with Ben our doggy right by our side - bless him, he gets up now and heads straight to the patio door ready to see his girls! This is usually around 6:30am - we're early birds in our home even on days off and weekends!

 

It's funny sometimes, the girls seem like teenagers as if to say "you're waking us up this early!!"

[lisamumof4]

I let mine out at about 7am but that will get later as winter sets in with darker mornings. They are taking themselves into bed at around 8.15pm now and I give them 10 mins to get settled and close the pop hole door.

[Surfnirvana]

For the past 4 months, I have been leaving their cube door open at night as it has been quite warm and dry here, over the Summer. They take themselves off to bed about 7.45 pm and I close their cube run then. The run & Cube is surrounded by an electric fence so feel it is reasonably safe. In the mornings, I go down with some treats for them at around 6.45 and they are always up and very eager to see me! This is the first Summer I have done this. The last two years we have always closed their door except for when it had been exceptionally hot. I must admit it has been quite handy knowing they have access to food and water when they want and I can have a bit of a lie in at the weekends!

 

However, I think as the nights are starting to cool off, I will start to close their door again at night. I'm sure they will be mightily cheesed off for the first few nights, but will soon get used to it again - bless them.

[Manana]

I used to let mine put themselves to bed and be up when they feel like in the morning. No noise problems, but the idea of weed suppresstnat fabric is a good idea , just in case The coop is secure and dry from the elements. Neighbours have complained though about the egg song..

[craftyhunnypie]

8am let out, 8.30ish shut in - as soon as it is dark now & I try to make sure they are all shut in their runs as soon as it becomes dusk & the garden birds start roosting.

 

Emma.x