kajlbw Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I keep my 6 hens in a 12sq metre run, enclosed by electric poultry netting which I check daily. My question is, is it wise to leave the pop hole open all the time when it gets warmer, and lighter? Apart from not wanting to get up at 5am I wondered if it'd be nicer for the hens to be able to be out and about when theyre ready, rather than waiting for me to let them out (which would be at 7/7.30). The hens are in a field down the lane and I bought the netting as I'd read that it is the most secure method of keeping the hens safe and they also have a lovely big area to scratch around in. Is it madness to leave the door open in summer or worth it for the health and happiness of the hens? I'd be interested to hear what everyone else does. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I think it depends on how safe your run is. I close mine up all year, in the summer they are let out when I get up at about 6.30. I know many Omleteers leave the door open so that the chooks can go out when it gets light. Also if you have close neighbours they may not be impressed with noisy chooks at the crack of dawn during the summer. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kajlbw Posted January 4, 2014 Author Share Posted January 4, 2014 Morning Chrissie, We've no close neighbours so noise isn't a problem but all that would be between the fox and hens is the electric poultry netting, which I check is working properly every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I'm not sure I'd take the risk if I wasn't within ear & eyeshot to be honest. I know we all want our hens to be happy and not cooped up but I think I'd constantly worry till I'd got to them each morning! You couldn't rig up some sort of pen within your netting just to give them a little outdoor space in the mornings before you get to them? Just a quick Google but this is the kind of thing that came to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I think to be totally safe you need to know the fox can't get under or over the fence. Not sure id chance it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
