Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[Claireabella]

I accidentally left the cube door open the other night. I must have checked in the egg box (as I always do to say goodnight) picked up the food and walked back up the garden without closing the door. It wasn't until 7.30 the next morning that I looked down the garden (squinting and half asleep) that I wondered what was wondering around in the run. It was bluebell! After my initial panic, they were actually absolutely fine and was just moaning because there was no food in there! So, I'm wondering too whether to leave the door open during the summer months...

[jimnpaula]

jimnpaula I see you are very close to me

Hey! We should get together sometime

I have to admit we're planning for a cockerel; he'll be kept in until a decent time in the morning...

[gavclojak]

jimnpaula I see you are very close to me

Hey! We should get together sometime

 

Can I come to the chook party? )

[nannyhenny]

We have an Omlet Cube and 5 hens. I shut the run door up at dusk each night but always leave the Cube door open. Henrietta likes to sleep right in the doorway - even on chilly nights! They get up when they like then and I let them out into our open run when I get up. We have a plastic cover over the Cube run to keep the underneath dry for dust baths and their food is in an auto opening feeder so never gets wet anyway.

If you think about it - they naturally roost in trees so doors aren't much needed!

[jimnpaula]

jimnpaula I see you are very close to me

Hey! We should get together sometime

 

Can I come to the chook party? )

Of course!

[dipsychick]

oh great idea , someone to talk all things chickeny to , dh says i am obsessed

[Luvachicken]

Well, so far, leaving the cube door open has been a success

And it was sooooooooo nice having a lie in on both days of the weekend, in fact, I have slept better all week.

I haven't heard the girls in the morning yet but then we have had the windows shut at night but I do think they have been quiet first thing.

 

 

I leave the door open all year unless the weather gets really nasty. I don't worry about noise - my neighbours don't ask before their dogs bark/ they start mowing/ playing music/ their friends/family have loud conversations late in summer evenings etc.

jimnpaula I think you have made a very good point there. There are lots of other noises too - dustbin lorries, milk floats, car alarms and a family of crows that have moved in nearby and I know which noises I would rather hear.

 

For anyone thinking about leaving the door open I would say give it a go. I know we haven't got to the lovely summer mornings yet but so far it has gone well.

[jimnpaula]

I didn't (and still don't) worry about the girls' noises, but newly-aquired Victor will have to stay indoors until a reasonable hour

 

P

[paulad]

we always leave the door open now - cudnt go back to closing and opening up every night - makes it all so much easier xx

 

ours are abit noisy but i just give the neighbours extra eggs and they say they like the sound of the hens anyway !!

[dipsychick]

Jimnpaula how exciting a new boy ahem picture ?

How are you going to keep him in and let the girls out early ? That's my ideal situation , jack sparrow in until 7.00 and the girls out when they like .

[jimnpaula]

He's going to live under the stairs until a reasonable time, then go outside.

A picture of him here

 

P

[dipsychick]

jimnpaula he is a little lovey.

I am wondering now about putting jack in the eglu go at night and leaving the girls door open and then letting him out at 7 ! The doesn't seem to have so many gaps and may hold in more noise ! I know wishful thinking , do you think he would be OK in there on his own at night ? no one else uses it they all pile in the cube , though there is still lots of room . And do you think hearing the girls out and about would start him off more if he is still in the ?

Otherwise I may have to have him in at night dh would love him going off inside the house I can just imagine him and the dog curling up in the dog basket

[jimnpaula]

Unfortunately, if you read my latest post on that thread you'll see we chose to rehome him. He is such a lovely boy and well handled but we felt unable to give him a happy lifestyle. He's standing next to me now, but we'll be off to Beacon Stud soon where he can crow whenever and as much as he likes, and there will be girls his size, and he won't be shut in cupboards overnight, or culled.

So very sad but feel this is better for him that what we could offer.

[Luvachicken]

Unfortunately, if you read my latest post on that thread you'll see we chose to rehome him. He is such a lovely boy and well handled but we felt unable to give him a happy lifestyle. He's standing next to me now, but we'll be off to Beacon Stud soon where he can crow whenever and as much as he likes, and there will be girls his size, and he won't be shut in cupboards overnight, or culled.

So very sad but feel this is better for him that what we could offer.

 

I just read your other post and felt sad for you that it didn't work out.

At least you tried and you know that you gave it a go and that Victor will be well looked after in his next new home

[dipsychick]

Jimnpaula so sorry to read you other post , at least you gave him a chance , like you said until you try you don't know . We have been lucky so far with jack as no one has mentioned anything and our neighbours either side don't really hear him at the moment , but I understand your worries . He only manages a cocka do bless and he is quieter than then girls during the day when they are pottering about .

Tonight I've been brave I have put him in the And left the door open just enough for the girls to get out in the morning . Not sure it's going to work out but if not we just go back to all in the cube shut up till 7:00 .