Suzanne Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I feel so mean. Our lovely girls have been totally free ranging since we had them 2 months ago. We love them to bits but stepping out of the back door is a hazard . Splat! Straight in the poo and a constant washing down job. The BBQ and garden seat are close by and again, watch where you walk ! The hoze is in use constantly. So yesterday we put a net across this area and the girls still have most of the garden but not the door step and patio window. They are so upset!!!! I feel so cruel ! They used to tap on the window to attract our attention. Now they stand gazing through the net and make me feel so guilty. Clara is an escapologist and has managed to get through several times. Whilst struggling with the net yet again yesterday afternoon ( these nets seem to get caught in shirt buttons and shoes ) we realised that the girls had taken the opportunity to move indoors. Perhaps we should take over the Eglu! It was good yesterday to be able to have the patio doors wide open and walk in and out without clambering over woman made barriers . I just hope the girls get used to it and do not hate me too much! Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Don't beat yourself up..... It sounds as if they still have plenty room to roam around. I bet they will adjust in no time at all...any free ranging is better than none. [perhaps it is you is who is going to miss them tapping on your window for attention] lol I know I would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 They'll get used to the new space. Over the winter we gave the laydees so much of the garden (over half the grass) that was promptly turned to mud and now they have a smaller run around one side of the garden. The looks and chuntering soon passed ( after a couple of days) and they're used to the space they have. A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Mine try and make me feel guilty for not letting them in too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 oooh, they are such emotional blackmailers! Bet they only do it while they can see you - go inside and observe from an upstairs window or somewhere, and they will soon go back to their usual ways. I've become expert at stealthily creeping up the garden, mine are happily pecking away in the run until they see me, when they turn into crazed chickens flinging themselves against the run door and treading on each other in their frenzy! They will be fine - don't be taken in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Aww lovely picture Laura. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne Posted July 13, 2007 Author Share Posted July 13, 2007 You are so right ! They only make me feel guilty if they see me or hear me. Otherwise they just potter round the garden. Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Don't feel mean Suzanne. They'll forget in a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 They look so cute at the door don't they! DOn't feel guilty, they'll soon get over it, its just that you can't explain it to them. I've got no chance of sneaking into the garden, mine hear the back door and go mad. I can't put the washing out too early at the weekend because of the racket they make and i don't let them out if i'm about to go out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Yes, we had to resort to this too, and reclaim the paving nearest the house, those poor deprived creatures! They are now completely used to it and it doesn't bother them at all, unless they think we have food! This means Mother can sit in the garden with a cuppa without hens on her shoulder or tripping her up. We can eat outside (when Summer arrives), we can leave doors open (when Summer arives) and the pathway is poo free. The occasional escapee pops through (we used trellis for a gate & the newbies can squeeze through, but only a couple of times (when they want thir "Mum"), they are such babies still. Blubelle came across today for the 1st time to have a nosey into the sittingroom through French windows. "Mum, there's a hen watching me pack for Guide Camp!" shouted Esther! So, Bluebelle knows how to pack & tie the bed roll now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 They'll forget in a few days. Bit like me then! I excluded my girls from the patio, partly because of the poo issue, butbecause they were digging up all my plants and herbs so there was soil all over the patio too. I've put up some green coated wire fencing along the edge of the patio and it doesn't notice much - they are fine with the arrangement and I can go out of the back door without stepping in poo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueChick Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 I have been battling with my guilt over the last few days regarding letting the ladies dig in my flower bed or not. I felt sorry for them because I kept shooing them out of the bed and stopping them digging. Then I made the decision that I wanted happy and contented chikens so it would be better if I allowed them to dig. So I moved my more delicate plants to a high flower bed which is beyond their jumping ability as yet and left all the big strong plants capable of withstanding a dig or two. They have been very happy but I have not! The mess is amazing! They shower the patio and lawn with dirt and bark chips and the garden looks like a war zone. I must stop them! What should I do? Is the Omlet netting an eye-sore for the garden?? How is it fixed into the ground? I have children as well and not that much space in the garden and am worried about them falling on sticks supporting the netting etc. Also worried about the garden looking like Fort Knox! Please help me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 Is the Omlet netting an eye-sore for the garden?? How is it fixed into the ground? I have children as well and not that much space in the garden and am worried about them falling on sticks supporting the netting etc. Also worried about the garden looking like Fort Knox! Please help me! Oh dear - you aren't having much luck are you. Ours like to dig/bath in one of the flower beds and Chris has to rake all the bark chippings off the lawn and back on to the bed most days. Some days it looks like we just emptied a bag of chippings straight on to the lawn. The Omlet netting comes on a roll and there are flexible supports fitted at regular intervals along it. You push the first one into the ground (it has a metal spike on the end) and then unroll the netting, pushing the other supports in as you get to them. Once it's all in place, there are extra supports that you put between the fixed ones as and where you need them. I don't think the netting's too intrusive and the tops of the supports are rounded off (the whole support is plastic coated) so not too dangerous if you fall on to them. You could use the netting to fence off an area to keep the chickens in or you could use it to fence off areas that you don't want them getting in to. We cut ours as it was too long for one area and it meant that we have an extra bit to fence off another area. Have been trying to find some photos of the netting 'in situ' in the gallery but can't find any Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanchick Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 We got our chickens and cube 10 days ago and are loving them. I have confined them to a large corner of the garden with some Omlet netting so they are not pooing absolutely everywhere. The Omlet netting is good, not too obtrusive (see pictures on my link below - page 2). However, my 4 year old likes to push his head through the holes which is seriously worrying and rather dangerous so I hope he will get bored of that soon. The poles are quite tall so I don't think anyone will fall on them, and the tops are flat so would not hurt you if you did. It is easy to put up and move around and you just push the spiked poles into the ground. I could do with a "door" though as I have to climb over it and lift my children over when we want to spend time with the girls. It gets quite tangled when you roll it up and mine stays up permanently unless we mow the lawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 The pictures are good Redchick. I have been wondering whether to get Omlet netting (quite pricy) or an electric fence (twice as much again). So it's helpful to see it in your pictures. Still dithering though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 I have been wondering whether to get Omlet netting (quite pricy) We thought that until we started pricing up standard fencing and supports, etc from places like Wickes and B&Q. Soon realised that the Omlet netting was no more expensive and much more flexible Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 I have been wondering whether to get Omlet netting (quite pricy) We thought that until we started pricing up standard fencing and supports, etc from places like Wickes and B&Q. Soon realised that the Omlet netting was no more expensive and much more flexible Rob ...and it can be electrified too! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 get the Omlet netting ... like you I dithered over the price, but it's very flexible. I've just taken the plunge and cut mine into three pieces, to make it easier to move around and more useful for my needs, you couldn't electrify it after that, but I didn't plan to anyway. It really is worth it - I love my chooks but I love my garden too, this way they can free-range somewhere different every time I let them out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 I guess we are lucky, our hens have the entire run of the garden but as there is an interesting 'wildlife' wooded area at the end they head straight for that and leave the lawn alone. The wooded area doesn't need any looking after now as we have six keen gardeners! Having said that our garden isn't exactly manicured! but has never looked so good. Just need a bit of rain now to help it along..........not! Kev, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 Someone was commenting today that my garden looked lush - I put it down to loads of rain and chicken poo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 . I could do with a "door" though as I have to climb over it and lift my children over when we want to spend time with the girls. . When I was comparing prices of other poultry netting to the Omlet netting, I was on a site that sold a door piece. The netting was the same as Omlets but more expensive. I will see if I can find the site tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanchick Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 Thank you Ali-S, that would be very useful indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
