blueandwhite Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 Hi I'm in a dilema. Basically moving house - new house has no boundary fences and this is the first thing I'm planning on doing. So the garden is open and I wouldn't feel happy leaving the girls out there in their eglu if I wasn't in (or overnight). In the past they have boarded as 'holiday hens' at the farm I got them from. I'm positive they were well cared for but they were obviously upset when they came back, so I don't really want to do that again. No family nearby to have them either. So ... I'm thinking they will have to live in the kitchen for a couple of weeks (this has also got to come out but I can wait til garden is sorted). I'm wondering if they will be okay with this, I know the mess will be a pain though. Also would they go to sleep in say a cat carrier or box of some sort (although Phoebe likes to eat paper/cardboard!) I just can't think of what else to do. Any suggestions please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 my garden has no fences just a line of trees at each boundry and it looks fantastic. I wouldnt put any fences up as it would spoil the views and cost a fortune. I have a family one side and they have 6 children 5 of them boys. They totally respect the boundry. The occasional football comes across and they will fetch it. The neighbour the other side of them also has children and a dog and they stay in their garden. The other side to me are an elderly couple and next to them also have a dog who keeps to his own. My choocks FR and everyone loves them, I just have to stop them every now and then going into the elderly couples garden as she has beautifull garden and I wouldnt want to upset them. As you can see from my signature I have a and an empty don't be put off your girls will be fine in their in the garden. Good luck with the move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 They should be fine in the Eglu - do you have an Eglu run, or do they normally free-range? Could you buy an Eglu run, and then maybe resell it when you've had the fencing done - you wouldn't lose a lot. I don't think it would be particularly good for them to live indoors for two weeks, and it would be very difficult for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 I agree, if they are in an eglu run they should be fine. Are you worried about people having access to your garden or not being able to let your girls freerange? If the latter, you could get some Omlet or other netting which would probably come in use anyway once you've got your garden up and running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandwhite Posted April 14, 2012 Author Share Posted April 14, 2012 Hi thanks for replies. I have an eglu and run. They freerange at the moment when we are at home and are in the run the rest of the time. It's about 50/50. They seem happy with that. What is worrying me is that the back garden is open to the road and therefore they would be able to get onto that but also that anyone could wander into the garden and take them and/or the eglu. I have had a few quotes for the work and the fencing could be completed in a day so that's okay. But I need a garage too and the concrete base takes 7 days to dry. So during this period the gap where the garage will be will still provide access to road. I'm thinking though at that stage I could put them in the eglu and run during the day and just let them sleep in the house at night as a precaution. Am probably being over anxious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 I wouldn't let them free range without the fence, but they will be fine in the Eglu run for a few days or even a couple of weeks if need be. I can understand your concerns, I know there have been a couple of posts on here recently about Eglu thefts but they are very rare. You could bring the hens in overnight but the Eglu would still be outside and visible, and if the hens are there during the day they'll soon make their presence known. Could you screen it temporarily e.g. with garden furniture, or a bit of that willow fencing or something? I can see why you are worried but I'd probably just go for it - it will introduce the hens to the neighbours at any rate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandwhite Posted April 14, 2012 Author Share Posted April 14, 2012 Thanks Olly - yes I was worried about eglu thefts and the girls going missing! I think once the boundary fence is up I will try some temporary screening across the garage bit (I've got lots as I've used it in the garden here). It should only be for a short period and I can let the girls out while we are there to watch them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 I agree with Olly, thefts are really rare and as it's not for long, I'm sure you'll be fine. A little screening may be a good plan though, just in case! You could make it harder to nick by attaching it with chains and padlocks to something heavy in the garden or even just putting pots or stones along the skirt to make it a bit more of a hassle to steal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandwhite Posted April 14, 2012 Author Share Posted April 14, 2012 Thanks that's a good idea; feeling much better now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 I just think the best think is to get some fencing up asap and screen it off as much as you can in the meantime! MAybe have it closer to the house than you intend for now so it's easier to hear and keep and eye on things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
