Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Happily]

We have two runs - the cube has 3 Pekins and the eglu classic has 2 silkies and 1 Poland/aracauna. They free ranged separately but next to each other since last year but after weeks of them sitting together either side of the wire recently we have been free ranging them together for short periods under supervision this last month. Then in the last two weeks both silkies and one of the Pekins went broody at the same time so we free ranged the 3 remaining full time together. I thought they woud bully phoebe (Poland/aracauna) as they have in the past but have been getting long fine The silkies are no longer broody and are free ranging happily with everyone.

 

Millicent (pekin) is still broody which may be helping as she can be a bully and henrietta (pekin) is a lot meaner when milicent is around.

 

We go on holiday in a weeks time by which time Millicent should not be broody anymore. My Mum will come and check on them twice a day. My question is do I just not free range them for the week - they both have good size runs. Or do I ask her to free range them? We normally let them out into their free range area in the morning and just leave them to it as someone is always around to check on them etc. but if she does this whilst we are away we will not be there to continue to keep an eye on them. I know we take a risk anyway as we are not always with them when they free range.

 

I don't think she will be able to free range them seperately as there is only one free range area so for them to take it in turns would mean she has to be at our house for quite a time each day.

 

What would you do? If they stay in their runs seperately or a week will it affect how well they have been integrating recently?

 

Any suggestions woud be helpful - thanks x

[Ain't Nobody Here]

As it's only for a week, and for your (and your mum's) peace of mind, I'd be inclined just to leave them in the run. They'll be absolutely fine. Mine are confined to barracks most of the day now after a fox attack but I've not noticed any changes in their behaviour. You can restart the integrated freeranging when you return, I shouldn't think a week will cause any problems.

[kissinuk]

Leave in the run while on holiday, we have the same problems but it's far safer to lock them in their run for a week or two rather than thinking of what could happen... Plus it's fairer on whoever is looking after them too (unless they really didn't mind of course).

Edited June 10, 2012 by Guest

[Happily]

Thanks guys think I will keep them in their runs whilst we're away x

[mollyripkim]

Yes I would leave them in too, we went away for two days recently and grown up daughter stayed and let them out but Esme was a little horror as she just would not go back in the run for Kate, she led her a right dance yet hops in happily for me with a handful of corn.