luggage16 Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 we have some chicken netting around our eglu go and let them free range when we are in the garden. Would it be ok to let them free range when we arent in the garden but are about in the house? My chickens seem noisey today and tbh i think they want to come out but the weather is grey and i dont fancy dragging the kids to sit in the garden in the rain to keep an eye on them lol! Also would they be ok free ranging in the rain? I have 2 pekins and 2 astralorp bantams so not sure the feathery feet and rain would be a good combi?? Any advice greatfully recieved - fed up of being told off by the chooks today lol Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 I think you're the only one who can make the decision tbh. Are there any other chicken keepers nearby? If so, what do they do and have they suffered daytime losses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 The rain won't bother them much, although if it's heavy they may want some shelter - however be warned that they will trash your garden much more quickly in wet weather, so be prepared for the consequences. Whether to free-range or not is a difficult one - be aware that neither the Omlet netting, nor your presence in the house (but not in the garden) will deter foxes, especially at this time of year when they may be feeding young. If you're in a rural environment it may be fine as foxes will probably be more wary of humans. Urban foxes are so used to human contact that they are not scared of us, my hens were nearly foxed a couple of weeks ago even though I'd been in and out of the house; I have had to revert to close supervision. Only you can decide on the risks, depending on where you live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggage16 Posted April 5, 2011 Author Share Posted April 5, 2011 i guess they are stuck in the run for now. We are in a town and the house behind us lost chickens to foxes (though theres had no coop and were just chicken wired in a corner of the garden). That was a couple of years ago now but def means they are about and can get in our garden (theres no access and they have to climb at least 2 6ft fences! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzboy Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 The rain won't bother them much, although if it's heavy they may want some shelter - however be warned that they will trash your garden much more quickly in wet weather, so be prepared for the consequences. Whether to free-range or not is a difficult one - be aware that neither the Omlet netting, nor your presence in the house (but not in the garden) will deter foxes, especially at this time of year when they may be feeding young. If you're in a rural environment it may be fine as foxes will probably be more wary of humans. Urban foxes are so used to human contact that they are not scared of us, my hens were nearly foxed a couple of weeks ago even though I'd been in and out of the house; I have had to revert to close supervision. Only you can decide on the risks, depending on where you live. My run is 9ft long and under cover my garden is very big so I let them free range everyday but with the weather being very damp is it best to leave the girls in the run or leave them out and get wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
