acw295 Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Hi all We are away this weekend and have family coming every afternoon to check feed, change water, poo pick and generaly fuss the chickens (and feed our cats). We live very rurally - no neighbours for at least a mile and have no-one to let them out into their run every morning. it is not possible for them to come twice a day as it is a long drive already and they would not be able to gt there early and then also stay late to do the shut in. Do you think they will be too cold if we leave the pop hole into their run open so they can let themselves in and out? Not concerned about foxes and other predators. House and attached run has been moved to our patio, right next to back door for winter, so they are on slabs and there is also mesh on the floor of the run too (with bark on top) so impossible to dig under. I am confident run and house is as fox proof as possible and we live on a farm that regularly shoots foxes and badgers (they rear pheasants here for shooting so take vermin control very seriously - foxes do not last long here!). I know people say they are ok with the cold but worry it will make the house too drafty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 They will be fine with the eglu door open. My door is open nearly all year round (apart from when it is really cold/raining etc). If you have an eglu classic, you can leave the door slightly ajar. Since you are only going away for a few days, I'm sure they will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I wouldn't worry so long as your run is secure; I leave the door of my cube open unless it's below -6deg at night. Their body temperature is 105deg, and they wear thick feather duvets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 No problem, door to my cube is never closed, as others have said unless it's seriously cold, chucks can then come and go as they please. They'll be fine!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Ours live in a raised hut with a mesh base for the dropping to fall through so are never fully closed in, they come and go as they please and are quite happy. When I used to have some in an eglu they lived with the door open unless it was really cold. I am sure they'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Mine sleep outdoors (within a WIR) even when there's feet of snow on the ground or howling gales so you really don't need to worry . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 They will be just fine - I'm another who never closes the pop hole I've never woken up to find frozen chicken lollipops on the perches yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I never close my door either x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acw295 Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 Thanks everyone, will leave it open then . I think longer term will still close it up as it is an extra help against foxes etc should anything penetrate the run but perhaps in the summer might leave it open so they can rise early. Still very much novice at this, we got our 4 little Pekin bantams in October 2013, one regularly in lay and another just started at the weekend so hoping they will all be at it come the Spring. They are incredibly cute but I am still terrified that I’m doing the wrong things for them. I do keep reminding myself that we have successfully kept cats for decades and I also have a horse that I manage to keep alive so chickens shouldn’t be that hard. But that doesn’t stop the endless fretting. I actually dream about red mites (never ever seen one but in my dreams they are terrifying lol!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 haha i have only had my lot since the summer and constantly learning - i have stopped worrying so much now though !! sure your doing everything just fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 If your run is secure it's MUCH easier to leave the pop hole open in summer. Mine tend to do the wake up song if they are shut in, and going into the garden in a dressing gown at 4.30am to let them out is no fun, I can assure you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
