Popularfurball Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Hopefully getting some friends on Friday... But had another question - we both work shifts which means that we won't be able to let them out into run, or let them into garden or shut them up to roost at the same times each day... Is this a problem? My main concern is the 12-9 shifts- the rest I can let them out at 7-8am and put them to bed by 4/5pm. Does bed time get later pending time of year too? I have blacked out the top part where they will be shut at night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 As long as your hens are in a secure, fox-proof run (whether it's the Eglu run or another) they will be fine - they will go back into their coop when it gets dark, and get up when it is light, and if the run is secure then you don't need to shut the door. As long as you can top up the food and water daily, and let them out for a run in the garden when you're able to, they won't mind. I don't work shifts, but I am out of the house for around 10 hours most days and so in winter I only see them in the mornings and can't let them out except at weekends. It hasn't been a problem. Bet you can't wait till Friday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I work shifts but the chooks are used to me appearing outside the run and odd hours of the day and night, they do look at me like I'm a crazy woman when it's pitch black and I'm topping up food and water. I do shut them into the'bedrom' in winter but always manage to let them into the run by 8am no matter what shift I'm on. Just invest in a good torch - I have a mini flashlight that has a little stand on it so I can put it down and still see what I'm doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Hi there, I do shifts so mine are all confined to their runs whilst I'm not around. Their coops get opened up at 05:00am when I'm on earlies a bit later when I'm not and then they can be shut up anytime up to 01:00am when I get in from lates or if I find they've gone to bed. You'll find they get up earlier and go to bed later as the days lengthen and reverse when they get shorter. (It's a bit sad when your waiting for them to go in so you can go to bed. but believe me it happens in the summer.) Persil and Aeriel have learnt that I chuck their treats in when I open them up on earlies and dash out to root around in the dark to gobble them up before the others come out. It's the disgruntled noises and squarks that come out of the as the pair of them trample over everyone to get to the door that makes me really smile. (No flies on them two I can tell you.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcharlie43 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I also work shifts. (either 8-8 or 10-10) I leave the cube door open most of the time so they can get themselves up in the morning and put thmeselves to bed. I just check them quickly first thing in the morning and when I get in I get the torch out and make sure they are all safely in the cube. I just leave them in the cube run and they only FR on my days off. I do shut the run on nights when its very cold but again open up the cube door as soon as I wake up ad shut it when I get home at night. They seem happy and healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popularfurball Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 Thanks for everyone's answers! My shifts are generally 0700-1700 1200-2100 1700-0300 2100-0700 So a bit messy but oh and I are rarely on the same shifts, so with a little encouragement in sure he will help in letting out/bringing in... Afterall they will be his birthday present so technically his chickens!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Thanks for everyone's answers! My shifts are generally 0700-1700 1200-2100 1700-0300 2100-0700 So a bit messy but oh and I are rarely on the same shifts, so with a little encouragement in sure he will help in letting out/bringing in... Afterall they will be his birthday present so technically his chickens!!!!!!!!! If you have a Cube or Eglu. then you can leave the pop hole open if necessary. Making sure they can get out into their run is more important, so as long as you can open it at a sensible time (assuming it was shut) you'll be ok. Your shift pattern fits in reallly well: 0700-1700 open before you go to work 1200-2100 Assuming you have a bit of a lay in, open as soon as you get up, go out in dressing gown if necessary 1700-0300 open when you get home before you go to bed 2100-0700 open when you get home before you go to bed. When I say "open", I'm talking about opening the pop hole so they can get into their secure run. Free ranging can be done at any time to suit your shifts - just train them to go back into the run by throwing a bit of corn in there. Hope that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 If you have a secure run then leaving the pop hole door open is definitely the best way to go. The chooks will get up when it's light and go to bed when it's dark all by themselves. Unless you have the coop facing into a howling gale then they don't actually need the coop door closing, they will be perfectly warm and cosy in there with the door open. Then you can top up food/water and collect eggs as and when it fits in with your shifts. Simples! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I do shift work as well, 7am till 7pm and 7pm till 7am. Mine have been fine, the only time I have closed the Cube door is when we have snow or its very frosty, but I think that's more because I think I should tuck them up in their bedroom rather than them being cold! They are always fine and its a scrum to get to the food in the morning. They go to bed at dusk and I've also sat there waiting for them to go to bed! I dont wait any more, they are in a secure run built by OH so I leave the door open all summer so they go when theyre ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popularfurball Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 Letting out isnt an issue - I have to be up for horses/dog - but was a bit worried about putting them away at say 3pm. We have a wooden coop with run under it to start with (already planning a walk in run *if* it goes ok *ahem* ) and I have never seen a fox near our house nor any evidence of foxes in area though sure we do.. But I'm not convinced the run bit is determined fox proof. Our garden has six ft fencing so I figure I it's going to hop that then it really wants a chicken!!!! So that's my concern for having them shut up over night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Unfortunately the fact that you haven't seen a fox doesn't mean there isn't one about, sadly for many people the first time they know there's a fox around is when their hens (or bunnies) are taken. And six foot fences will be no problem to the fox - they can jump/climb pretty much anything that a cat could climb, so you are right to be cautious. If your run is a modern purpose-built chicken ark though, it should be fox-proof as long as the fox can't dig underneath it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
