bouldercroft Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 You guys have been saying how easy keeping chickens was and well, I thought you were all bonkers until it warmed up enough for me to leave the door open... And now I get it...seriously the twice a day closing/opening thing was getting tedious now they just come and go as they please! They are happy - I am happy - we're all happy! Finally - low maintenance hens I guess it serves me right for starting chicken keeping in October followed by a really really hard winter. Everyone said wait until Spring but I wouldn't be told.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Well at least the worst is over and you can enjoy the spring without worrying about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 I still shut mine in the cube and eglu at night and bring in the food. I kinow I don't really need to but iI like to see that they are all tucked up in bed and say good night I guess it is harder to look after them when the weather is very cold, we moan at a couple of degrees of frost, enjoy your better weather . Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 I still shut mine in the cube and eglu at night and bring in the food. I kinow I don't really need to but iI like to see that they are all tucked up in bed and say good night I guess it is harder to look after them when the weather is very cold, we moan at a couple of degrees of frost, enjoy your better weather . Chrissie Me too! Winter cleaning is the worst; cold fingers, and using newspaper to dry the house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 I like to shut mine in too, and bring in the food so i can top it up and do some clean water. I don't find it tedious, it is just my daily routine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouldercroft Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share Posted April 12, 2011 I like to shut mine in too, and bring in the food so i can top it up and do some clean water. I don't find it tedious, it is just my daily routine. digging my way through the snow - twice a day was what made it really tedious... I leave the food out now that they are in a WIR with 1/4" weld mesh - it'll keep the chipmunks and red squirrels out. Not sure it'll keep the mice out but I hope it does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 I think I'd want to encourage chipmunks and red squirrels Reminds me of when I was little and as my parents wouldn't let me have pets I dug huge holes in the lawn in an effort to catch a pet rabbit . . . but I digress. One thing, it is amazing how quickly one can forget the winter hardships. We've had lovely sun recently but last night was cold and suddenly I was reminded of the difference between walking out in my indoor clothes to say hello to the chooks and provide the odd treat, and going out in the freezing cold (and it was nothing like you have had) to fiddle with frozen door catches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouldercroft Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share Posted April 12, 2011 The red squirrel is extremely destructive - chewed a hole through the porch screen windows to get to some seed that I was storing in there - very very very very cute - but very evil... The chipmunks are everywhere...they breed like rabbits and eat the veggies quicker than they can grow! Well, now that the girls have settled down nicely I'm adding three more hens on Friday - I must like making my life difficult wish me luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 We made friends with a grey squirrel in Boston Common , and i used to love seeing the chipmunks in the green mountains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouldercroft Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share Posted April 12, 2011 We made friends with a grey squirrel in Boston Common , and i used to love seeing the chipmunks in the green mountains Percy - I'll happily ship my grey squirrels over to you - although I think someone already did that to poor old England and although they aren't as destructive as my resident red (who I just saw running from the garage with some loft insulation material!) they are the fattest laziest creatures you ever saw. I have one grey that's bigger than the neighbors cat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Well, now that the girls have settled down nicely I'm adding three more hens on Friday - I must like making my life difficult wish me luck! Hey, bouldercroft , you can't just sneak that on like that . . . what breeds / colours / when . . . more info please. I need to know all about other people adding to their flock to combat my Morehens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooker Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I would definately give a word of caution when leaving food out overnight! My problem has been the dreaded rat...s. Once they know there is food there they will come back for it, I always bring my food in at night...however, the rats have learnt this and come out in the day, which I understand is a sign that you have an infestation on your hands... We have tried traps but they never go for them. I have contacted the council and al they can do is come (between 10-4 mon-fri, so I would need to take a day off work!>!)and put down poison, which would also poison the chickens, so I can't do that. I can't heed enough warning, prevention is better than cure! I would really recommend taking as many precautions as you can to prevent rodents from deciding to nest down under your chicken coup! (I have chicken wire dug 20cm under, they will eat through it.) Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouldercroft Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Well, now that the girls have settled down nicely I'm adding three more hens on Friday - I must like making my life difficult wish me luck! Hey, bouldercroft , you can't just sneak that on like that . . . what breeds / colours / when . . . more info please. I need to know all about other people adding to their flock to combat my Morehens. a silver laced polish , a salmon faverolle and an ameraucana - I'm collecting them on friday tooooooo excited but dreading the introductions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouldercroft Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 I would definately give a word of caution when leaving food out overnight! My problem has been the dreaded rat...s. Once they know there is food there they will come back for it, I always bring my food in at night...however, the rats have learnt this and come out in the day, which I understand is a sign that you have an infestation on your hands... We have tried traps but they never go for them. I have contacted the council and al they can do is come (between 10-4 mon-fri, so I would need to take a day off work!>!)and put down poison, which would also poison the chickens, so I can't do that. I can't heed enough warning, prevention is better than cure! I would really recommend taking as many precautions as you can to prevent rodents from deciding to nest down under your chicken coup! (I have chicken wire dug 20cm under, they will eat through it.) Rachel I'll keep an eye out for possible rats - but I've never seen one yet and the birds spill a lot of bird seed. I usually worry about bigger things like coyotes and bears but I'll keep your warning in mind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Due to our fox experiences I like to lock mine in for peace of mind and I would have such a telling off if I left the food out over night for the mice and rats. However, there was crossed wires here one time and the chickens have actually gone a night not being locked up. They probably loved it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Well, now that the girls have settled down nicely I'm adding three more hens on Friday - I must like making my life difficult wish me luck! Hey, bouldercroft , you can't just sneak that on like that . . . what breeds / colours / when . . . more info please. I need to know all about other people adding to their flock to combat my Morehens. a silver laced polish , a salmon faverolle and an ameraucana - I'm collecting them on friday tooooooo excited but dreading the introductions! Oops, that hasn't helped with my Morehens after all. Just made me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
