Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[susanb]

Ever since we built our WIR, the girls have been sleeping outdoors on a perch. Its getting a bit cold at night now and we are wondering if they will be sensible enough to start sleeping in the eglu, or if we need to start putting them in there? We have checked and cleaned the eglu - there are no nasties in it......but they still seem to prefer sleeping outdoors.

 

Our chicken supplier said we have to get them to sleep "indoors" once it gets cold or they will get "a chill"......so its starting to become a big worry.

 

Any thoughts? thank you.

[Tweety]

I wouldn't worry about it. As long as they are safe from predators, I would let them choose whether or not to stay outside. 3 of my girls slept out of the eglu throughout the whole of last winter, even when it was absolutely freezing, and came to no harm.

[Gelbel]

I have been wondering about this. My girls have slept outside since May and show no signs of going back into the coop. I was thinking of moving them off their perch tonight when they are dozey and popping them in the coop - or putting a touch in the coop to 'call' them in.

[Chicken Shirl]

I'm sure they are better off out on a perch with the air circulating round them. This is what they are designed to do. They do not mind being cold at all they have a duvet built in. As long as they are safe from Mr Fox of course.

[susanb]

We took ours off their perch the other night and put them in the eglu. It did not work terribly well, as they just walked back out again. So we put them back in again and closed the door for 30 minutes, then went and opened the door again. We think they stayed in after that. I think perhap we will just leave them alone for now - see what happens.

 

(and don't worry - they are safe from the fox - the WIR is a bit like Fort Knox)

[Happy chickens!]

Just a thought.... I think read somewhere that chickens will roost at highest point possible, so if the perches are above the Eglu they will use perches. Perhaps if you raise Eglu up above perches they will use that instead? I have a cube so this is theory only for me!