Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Thumbcat]

I'm back from my holiday, I've bought my aubiose and I'm ready for my girls!

 

My only slight apprehension is the light mornings at the moment and the possibility that they may disturb the neighbours. In an ideal world I'd be letting them out at around 7.30 but am happy to go out earlier to do this. Would it be a good idea to put a dark towel or blanket over the eglu at night (not covering the ventilation holes) to keep it a bit darker?

 

The other thing I wanted to ask about is what people generally do immediately after they've got the chickens home. One of the books I've read advises putting them into the coop with the door shut for an hour. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

I can't wait to be a chicken keeper

[Cat tails]

 

Eggciting!

 

I let my ladies out at 5:35 now, but only because they are used to this. I would just wait and see what they do in the mornings and maybe keep a window open, so you will hear them soon enough. I always sleep with my window open because of this. I wouldn't bother with a towel or blanket. It won't make much of a difference and certainly not keep them dark enough till 7:30. This doesn't mean they will want out before that time. It's just a matter of trial and error.

 

I wouldn't keep the hens in the coop for a whole hour. If they are big girls, it will get too warm quickly. Just leave the coop open and give them some space and make sure no dogs/cats/kids will stress them out the first few hours.

 

What did you decide eventually to get?

[Thumbcat]

Thanks for the advice cat tails. I'll pop them in the coop with the door open and sleep with half an ear open

 

I see you're in the Netherlands. We're just back from our first visit there and can't wait to go back. Such a lovely country.

[Thumbcat]

I'm planning to get a Light Sussex Nova, a Golden Rock (?different name for Rhode Rock - not sure) and possibly a Bluebelle. We'll see what takes our fancy on the day.

[ricmonddan]

Hi, i'm very new to this but, your concern was also my largest concern. I sleep with the window open as suggested but what i also have done is move the shade over to the end where the coop is (Eglu go ) and position the coop so the sun rises across it rather than straight at the front or the back.

 

I get up for them at 7 every day and they are silent before then, you can't hear them over the wild birds anyway. Fingers crossed though, as it is early days so things may change especially if it gets a bit hotter. I think that they are creatures of habit, if you get up and let them out at 5am on day one they'll get a bit fidgety at 5am on day 2.

 

I shut them in the coop but that is mainly because I remove the food every night, I imagine if you remove the food every night and let them rise when they like they will soon tell you that they want some food.

 

Best of luck.

[Cat tails]

Thanks for the advice cat tails. I'll pop them in the coop with the door open and sleep with half an ear open

 

I see you're in the Netherlands. We're just back from our first visit there and can't wait to go back. Such a lovely country.

 

Nice! Where did you go?

 

Hi, i'm very new to this but, your concern was also my largest concern. I sleep with the window open as suggested but what i also have done is move the shade over to the end where the coop is (Eglu go ) and position the coop so the sun rises across it rather than straight at the front or the back.

 

I get up for them at 7 every day and they are silent before then, you can't hear them over the wild birds anyway. Fingers crossed though, as it is early days so things may change especially if it gets a bit hotter. I think that they are creatures of habit, if you get up and let them out at 5am on day one they'll get a bit fidgety at 5am on day 2.

 

I shut them in the coop but that is mainly because I remove the food every night, I imagine if you remove the food every night and let them rise when they like they will soon tell you that they want some food.

 

Best of luck.

 

That's exactly what happened Ric. They were taught at boarding to get mixed grain in the morning and that's what they demand at first light... Oh well... I pop out, feed them and pop back into bed again.

[Thumbcat]

That's a good point about the wild birds Ric. I get woken up by magpies in the summer and I'm sure my chooks will sound much nicer.

 

Tails - we stayed in Wassenaar and visited the beaches and Leiden. There's still lots we didn't see so we'll definitely be back.

[Cat tails]

Wassenaar! How posh! I like Leiden a lot. I think it's one of the nicests cities, I actually studied there!

[mullethunter]

I put them into the Eglu and left them shut in the Eglu + run for a few days, but at no point did I shut them in the house.

 

Last year I opened their door at about 7am and they never made any noise, now I leave the door open all the time so they get up whenever they like and still don't make any noise