Janey4 Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Hi I am returning to hen keeping after a little break and as our last girls were kept at my Mums house, where she was most of the time, I haven't had to worry about letting the hens out in the dark before. Both myself and my husband will usually be leaving for work before it gets light and returning home when its dark, as I'm sure if the same for alot of people, so does everyone just open the door before they leave and the hens come out when they are ready and just shut them in at night when they have gone back in? Thanks Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I don't even bother to open and close the Eglu door, because my Eglu is inside a secure walk-in run. Otherwise -yes, they will get up when it's light and put themselves to bed when it's dark. It means you sometimes have to fish the eggs out from beneath a warm feathery body and there may be some disgruntled clucking when you open the egg port! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I open the cube door when it's light and they still stay in mumbling at me to leave them alone In winter they've always bounced out in the dark. I've got movement sensitive lights in the run so they've got some light if they move If they are free ranging then it's a vulnerable time for foxes so you may consider an electric opener Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 They'll come out when they are ready and put themselves to bed when they are ready. In the winter I barely see mine from Monday-Friday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janey4 Posted September 17, 2013 Author Share Posted September 17, 2013 If they are free ranging then it's a vulnerable time for foxes so you may consider an electric opener No unfortunately they are going to have to stay in the run when we are out, but will be allowed to free range at weekends/if my husband is working from home/at night before the cloaks change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janey4 Posted September 17, 2013 Author Share Posted September 17, 2013 In the winter I barely see mine from Monday-Friday! I think this is going to be the same for me! O dear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Hate dark winter days and lack of chicken time. I try to work some longer days to have chicken time off in the week On the plus side Janey they are less sociable in winter when not laying and moulting so they're not so keen to see you anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoachedPlease Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I have always left the eglu door open permanently. They can suit themeslves. Eglu run as proved to be fox proof so far, but I have tent pegged the run all around the edge! Xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 I don't see mine very much during the week in the winter. I let mine out in the dark in the morning into their WIR and I find because of the garden light they sometimes do come out so I check there all ok. I think once the light goes off they go back to bed for a bit. The shut them up when I get home also in the dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
