Cheeky Chooky Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 Can't offer any advice that hasn't been offered already Chrissie, just wanted to send you a mahoosive virtual hug. Do whatever you feel you need to do xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Aww Chrissie, so sorry to hear that you are struggling with this, it must be so hard for you But I do agree with what has been said above. As you know mine are also in a walk in run and once in there they are quite secure. They are never shut in the eglu as they prefer to roost in the branches (silly chooks) - even in the dead of winter, so I never go out to shut them in, as long as they are in the run and that is shut, they are fine. If I do need to go out, we have PIR floodlights (mainly because I have a phobia about treading on slugs in the dark ) Have a think about it - and take Tasha up on her offer if you need a bit of breathing space (((hugs))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted November 16, 2013 Author Share Posted November 16, 2013 Wow you are such an amazing group of people. I am so touched by all your replies, they have brought tears to my eyes but in a good way. Some great advice and fantastic offers of help. I am going to talk to OH about getting some lighting and I like the suggestion of a head torch too. Also a lock for the side gate although we back onto fields and they could get in that way it would make their life more difficult. I always close the doors on the eglus and cube but I know I could leave them open as they are either in eglu runs or WIR. My problem is that I like to bring the food in every night as next door has a rat problem and has had on and off since BC (before chickens) but always blames my chickens until OH reminds him of the facts but my answer to him is that I am very careful with their food and bring it in at night. If we get a light, will it confuse the chickens and make them think it is morning and get up to great me? So thanks to all of you I have a Plan A get some lights and lock for the gate and see if that helps, if not Plan B don't go out to them at night but that does mean leaving out the food which I am not keen on and Plan C talk to Omletters who have offered help and only Plan D would be to sell which DD says I would live to regret and she is probably right Thank you all for your great advice and offers. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 My PIR light doesn't seem to bother the chooks Chrissie; it is on the patio, so t'other end of the garden, and only come on when I come out of the back door. It shines along the garden so I can see where I'm going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 My problem is that I like to bring the food in every night as next door has a rat problem I sometimes go out just before dusk and remove the food containers, and I have a PIR light and quite a small garden and the girls have never been bothered by it at all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Hmm, I either have very silly chickens or a too bright light! When my PIR light comes on they all come bumbling out rubbing their eyes and muttering about being woken up too early Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 I was bringing my food in at dusk lays year, as that was when the rats were coming out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 I also have a light in the back garden and it doesn't seem to wake the chooks up when it's switched on, although I wouldn't say it's hugely bright (if that makes a difference?). Mine don't get shut in their coop at night either as they are in a WIR. With regards to the food and rat issue, would you consider getting a Grandpa's Feeder? They are expensive to buy initially, but I am so pleased I bought mine. I got it when we had a rat problem and I was also having to bring the food in at night as a whole hanging feeder was literally being emptied overnight by the rats The Grandpa's Feeder solved this problem immediately as the rats cannot get into the feeder. This means I could leave the food out day and night without worry. I also left bait out as well (secure bait box). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 That's an excellent idea Lavenders-blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 I think I might get a Grandpas feeder. Mine make an awful mess when they're scratching around in the WIR and the feed ends up under a huge pile of Aubiouse, Chopped straw, Leaves etc. I'm always having to shake the feeders, then the food goes everywhere! Do you think this would help ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Mine also wander out looking bleary eyed cos they think I am bringing a snack. I also have a cricket bat behind front door - in case I am ever called upon to play for England like thats gonna happen. Dont let them grind ya down girl - your girls mean a lot to you. Make changes - when some drug addicts tried to get into my flat yrs ago and I was in - I was a wreck - upped my security, got a cat and an allotment. It took time but got there and no its not easy. Dont let these b ds win. Ali xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libby22 Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Hi. I just wanted to send you a hug and say I am so so sorry this happened to you and has left you feeling so low. Have had it happen a couple of times myself and it is just awful, I felt I wanted to run from life, but then they win and you lose again. You are doing the right thing, get some temporary plans in place and don't make any big decisions until you feel far more settled. You will be glad you took a deep breath and waited. We are all here for you. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted November 17, 2013 Author Share Posted November 17, 2013 Well if you see a strange light in the night sky over East Northants you will all know that I am outside with the chooks OH has put lights up so that I can see when it is dark and also the back gate is now locked. Grandpa feeders sound good but I would have to get 4 so I don't think that is an option at the moment. But I might get one or two for the WIR. Well the chooks didn't get up when the light came on but Monsieur Noir did start to cockadoodoodle dooing Thanks once again. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Who needs a guard dog when you have Monsieur noir singing:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Great news Chrissie, sounds like you are much happier with the new arrangements I'd forgotten about the cockadoodling when the lights come on - Bolt starts as soon as we get up and he sees the kitchen light go on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 That all sounds very positive, well done you!!! Just take it one step at a time! Maybe you could get Monsieur a sleep mask so the security light doesn't disturb his beauty sleep!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Ooooh dont say that Bramble "omlet" might hear u and make one to match the hig vis jackets !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Ooooh dont say that Bramble "omlet" might hear u and make one to match the hig vis jackets !!!! Don't be silly paulad - Omlet can't make a hi-vis sleep mask - it would need to be in soothing pastel shades (or black, perhaps) to aid restful sleep!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 a set of fluffy ear muffs would help cut out noise too. Well done - glad you have made the changes. Big hugs Ali x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Ah great news Chrissie,am glad you're feeling more positive.I love seeing your purple posts.Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Well done to you Purplemaniacs and to your OH. All sounds a lot more purple and a lot less blue in your neck of Northants I found having a chub lock on my garden gate made a huge difference to how secure I felt and I only wish I'd done it earlier. If you do back onto fields and want to be even more secure you could plant pirocantha bushes along the fence (field side). They are quite cheap at the moment, massively prickly, grow very fast (so you can start with little ones) and actually look quite pretty at this time of year as well as being loved by birds. You can pick off some of the twigs that don't have the thorns, too, for your chickens as they absolutely love the leaves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 That post looked a tad positive if I dare say it and the wee girls might be staying with you.... Well done and hope that one day soon you relax a bit, in spite of those wee neds breaking in for a few goods to feed the next urgent fix. They would have meant you no harm, just needed saleable goods fast, and to them you were just a 'house'. Wee horrors who need a good belt around the lugs!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Just seen this - and so glad you have a way forward. Your daughter sounds very sensible!! Can also recommend pirocantha against a fence - had it growing in my last house for just this reason, plus looked nice. That and some nice roses. Also kept out the cat that kept leaving presents in my garden... Another thought, if you back onto fields, could you encourage some brambles on the other side of your fence? They grow quickly, and will have the same effect, without making changes to your garden? Second getting in contact with victim support. They are there to help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 I've found Pyracantha to be pretty slow growing, but rambler roses with nice hooky thorns grow quickly and are really pretty too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted December 14, 2013 Author Share Posted December 14, 2013 A big thank you to everyone who helped me to make the right decision - to keep the chickens. You were all so right if I had got rid of them it would have been a big mistake, with improved lighting in the garden I am now coping much better with them, other issues like coming back to an empty house when it is dark is another issue but chicken wise life is much better now. To prove it I have bought a second hand eglu which will improve the silkies set up. It was a bargain and I am really chuffed with it, once Christmas is over I will set it up and give the three little silkies a new home. Thank you all once again, you have been such a great help and support Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
