Cube Run Question

[CharLeila]

Hi,

 

Just wondered if anyone has started closing the eglu door at night now the weather is getting colder? Last winter was my first with the girls and I used to close it everynight but its been open since about march and don't know weather to close it again.

 

Ta

[Plum]

I close mine to protect from predators at night

[scarlettohara]

I'm started closing mine - I feel better if I know they are warm and snug

[Egluntyne]

I never close mine and they have been fine so far.

[percy049]

we always close the WIR door, omlet run and the house door, to help protect from predators and to keep them warm

[Margaret]

No never do. Dont like to disturb them when I go to work at 6.30, if I open the door they all rush out and then go back to bed muttering when I walk back down the path

When I get in they are fast asleep, seem fine so far.

Nice and snug in the next box of the cube

Mind you they have a rude awakening on Saturday when Maureen, Audrey and Matilda arrive

[migsy]

I've started shutting my door if it is going to be very cold or windy. Unfortunately I was in a rush this morning and forgot to open it so they didn't get out until 9am after I dropped the kids off at school. My children told me off saying that they must be feeling like battery hens.

[Redwing]

I dont close any of the coop doors, by the time I had shut everything in it would need to be let out again

[Chicken shack]

Margret will you just put your new girls in the cube with the others or do you do it slowly

[Margaret]

Well 4 Girlies have been at boot camp for 2 weeks whilst I have been on holiday, so when I collect them on Saturday will put them all in together and see how it goes.

Gill (Farmers wife ) who has been looking after original girls for me said it should be ok as will all come home together.

Will keep you all posted.

[JanTheDiver]

I shut my cube door last winter but it has been open since March and the girls are definitely happier being able to come and go as they please, I make sure the fox proof run is shut though.

 

I did shut it a few nights ago when we had 50mph winds as the girls didn't like that, but other than that unless it gets mega cold, i.e.-10 or more, I will leave the cube door open to keep them happy

[Slim]

Used to close the door as I used to start work at 5am so was up to let them out however I never close it now and been fine for the last 2 years!

[sage]

Started closing mine a few weeks ago, a few of my ex batts still lack undercarridge feathers and 1 is having a good moult.

 

Sage

[Mercedes55]

I leave the door of the Cube open and have done for some time now. As the Cube is in the WIR it's under cover and sheltered and I don't think that leaving the door open is going to make them any colder, least I hope not. I have started putting a deep layer of rapport in the nest box and under the perches so that it's more insulated inside

[chickiepiggies]

My children told me off saying that they must be feeling like battery hens.

thought this bit was funny

[Trougher]

I've always closed my henhouse door at night as lots of people have told me I MUST shut up the chickens. I have been too scared not to, as although their run is completely enclosed, I worry that a fox will somehow be able to get in. I am probably being too protective, and I am certainly sick to death of never getting a lie in because I have to get up the let the chickens out.

[beach chick]

I've always closed my henhouse door at night as lots of people have told me I MUST shut up the chickens. I have been too scared not to, as although their run is completely enclosed, I worry that a fox will somehow be able to get in. I am probably being too protective, and I am certainly sick to death of never getting a lie in because I have to get up the let the chickens out.

 

Trougher I so agree with you!!! its the best thing about a WIR for me... DH left at 7 for work this morning and for various reasons I didnt wake up til 8.45 - and NO GUILT!! was lovely.

[skye]

As long as your run is fox-proof (ours is like Fort Knox ) you are fine to leave the door open into it, allowing the girls to come and go as they please.

 

skye x

[Trougher]

Hubby has put a new roof on the run this afternoon (clear corrugated plastic stuff), which has not only made the run lighter, but hopefully has made it a tad more secure, although it probably is pretty secure. I am going to leave the door open tonight and have a lie in tomorrow (sods law I will wake up and not be able to sleep in!!!)

[Luvachicken]

The one time I left the door open, so I could have a lie in, my girls decided to wake up at 5.30am and make a racket, then again about 20mins later and again and again. I would've been better shutting their door and getting up at my usual time.

 

Also, I think the chickens sleep better as they're not worrying about all the noises that are just outside.

[Trougher]

Had nightmares all night about something happening to the chickens, but I firmly refused to get out of bed until 9 o'clock this morning, and the chickens were absolutely fine! So maybe not the most restful night, but perhaps I have established a principle that sometimes it would be ok to leave the door open!!