serenlas Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I've had my three chooks since the end of august, and aside from the first night they have always been brilliant at putting themselves to bed as it gets dark. I tend to go out and shut them away during the evening. However a couple of weeks or so ago they started coming out of their eglu again when they heard footsteps, if it was dark but not very late, so I've had to leave gem to it and go back out again later. The past two nights I've been out at around 11pm in the hope of avoiding this and they've still come out and clucked at me! Any ideas? They are in a secure WIR but i would feel much better if I could shut their door, especially as my neighbour says he's seen a fox in our street. The only thing I can think is that over the Xmas hols they've been let out a bit later than normal and have been free ranging much more.. But they're not creatures of routine.. Are they?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. probably they are just being nosey when they hear you coming. They are safe in their WIR. I'm sure the more informed on the forum will comment. Don't worry. They are safe and that is the main thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 ... But they're not creatures of routine.. Are they?! Of course they are When they hear your footsteps, they associate it with either treats or freerange time. We have a street fox or two, so at their bedtime, I shut the door. If I left it later, I'm fairly sure mine would have another wander out if they heard me coming. As you have a WIR, why not simplyl shepard them back into their Eglu? Spread your arms wide and herd them in, then lock the door? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Have to agree that they "learn" routines. Our girls know that after eggs are collected they get to go play out in the paddock. If you don't let them for any reason then they go nuts! They also know that often when the back door opens you are on the way to have a chat, drop them a treat, let them out for a play. They always come running. Our Bluebell goes to bed good as gold, gingernut, is nosey, but goes in eventually, Miss Pepperpot is a night owl and is always the last to bed. And yes we have spent many nights trying to creep out to shut up the coop We just herd them in once it gets dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serenlas Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 Thank you! I will try herding them in, I imagine it's quite hard to do in the dark but I'll give it a try Could provide some comedy moments if nothing else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Our Bluebell goes to bed good as gold, gingernut, is nosey, but goes in eventually, Miss Pepperpot is a night owl and is always the last to bed. And yes we have spent many nights trying to creep out to shut up the coop I have the same three, and they go in the same order...Pippa Pepperpot often pops out to chat to me when I go out to shut the door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Isn't that a strange coincidence or is it I wonder? I suppose you would only know if you had the same 3 breeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Mine do that too - I creep over to shut Eglu and out pops a head I nearly got one caught in the door one evening when not concentrating and nearly decaptitated one of the girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serenlas Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 Well last night only one of them came fully out of the Eglu so I picked it up and put it back in! There were a few disgruntled clucks as I shut the door on them, but hopefully they'll soon get the message I have a and two but I think it's the gingernuts that are pushing their luck (hard to be 100% sure in the dark)! I can almost hear them saying "wow, I wonder what we can get her to do now?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctors girls Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 ... But they're not creatures of routine.. Are they?! Of course they are every time we roll up in the car all my 3 all come running to to one side of the WIR when i do let them out to free range in a fenced off area in the garden they are always trying to escape cause they know they get a treat before they go back in and if i am not ready to let them in after they have escaped they go looking for it themselves and know where to find the box of corn as for sleeping out only 2 have seemed to stay out but only now and again but last night went to check for eggs at 10.20pm yes it was late and i had only 1 egg before going to work (shifts) as soon as i put the key in the lock i heard them all moving about and as i opened the egg port out they all came thinking it was play time so they had some more layers pellets and then put themselves back to bed party animals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 My youngsters have been doing this too. I try and sneak out just as it gets dark and surprise them, I did shut out out all night a few days ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
