PLS Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Hello, I just had my eglu and two young hens delivered on Wednesday and we're loving having them (my 4-year-old has named them Dotty and Dandelion). We were advised to keep them locked in the run for a week - but have been surprised by how much of the day they spend lurking indoors in the eglu, only coming out when we come near them down the garden - is this normal or have we got unusually nervous or perhaps lazy hens? Also, am I being paranoid? I've been too nervous of foxes and keep shutting them into the eglu at night, so have to get up at crack of dawn to let them out - is this paranoia? any advice much appreciated. PLS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Don't worry, they are very young and still settling down. They will spend more and more time out of the Eglu, especially when you decide to let them out into the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanchick Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 I've been too nervous of foxes and keep shutting them into the eglu at night, so have to get up at crack of dawn to let them out - is this paranoia? Hi PLS No it's not paranoia, very sensible in fact. I started to leave my cube door open until the other night a fox tried dig under the run. Now I shut the door and I can sleep easy knowing that they are safe whatever happens. I let them out about 7am, sometimes later, and they are very happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 If you have an eglu you could train them to open the door themselves them you don't have to get up quite so early and they'll be safe from foxes at night - we've had ours a couple of months but got up early everyday letting them out until we saw a post on here. What you do is close the door so there is a gap just about big enough for them to get out, the next night close it so that they have to push it slightly to get out, then leave smaller and smaller gaps. Mine now get up from having the door shut (but don't push down the handle) when the sun comes out - I still have to go and open the door as they get out and shut it behind them so can't get to the nest, but at least they can peck around and I don't feel guilty about waking up late at the weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Hi PLS welcome to the forum, I shut ours in cos I'm a softie and I don't like to think of them getting draughty at night! But I don't let them out til I come down at 7.30'ish - they're normally muttering away inside by then but they're fine. And I wouldn't worry they're probably just enjoying their new pad, they'll venture out more eventually, and if you're going to let them free range you won't be able to hold them back soon!! Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 I closed my girls in when I first got them, and in winter too, to keep the heat in. You can't beat walking across a frozen garden in your pyjamas with the grass crackling under your feet and the mud crunching as you step on it for an invigorating sensation first thing in the morning. My Eglus are on paving slabs, and are weighed down with boulders so I have not had problems with the fox digging underneath, so I leave the Eglu door open in summer. You are sensible to close the door if there is evidence of digging though......It just means you don't get a lie in unless you can teach the girls to shoulder barge the door in the morning, as arowland 17 suggests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 When I first had my two, I had to physically lift them out of the eglu and put them near their food and water, as I was afraid they'd starve. Now, they nearly flatten me in their rush to get out! It's just that at first, they're not used to so much freedom and find it scarey. If you're worried about foxes at night, you could always get a 'Fox Watch'. Ever since we got one, I leave the eglu door open at night with confidence, although will probably close it when it gets frosty. Good luck and continue to enjoy your girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLS Posted September 25, 2007 Author Share Posted September 25, 2007 If you have an eglu you could train them to open the door themselves them you don't have to get up quite so early and they'll be safe from foxes at night - we've had ours a couple of months but got up early everyday letting them out until we saw a post on here.What you do is close the door so there is a gap just about big enough for them to get out, the next night close it so that they have to push it slightly to get out, then leave smaller and smaller gaps. Mine now get up from having the door shut (but don't push down the handle) when the sun comes out - I still have to go and open the door as they get out and shut it behind them so can't get to the nest, but at least they can peck around and I don't feel guilty about waking up late at the weekend! This sounds good - but can't the fox then open the door easily from outside if it managed to dig under the wire cage part? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 This sounds good - but can't the fox then open the door easily from outside if it managed to dig under the wire cage part? The run has been designed to stop (or at least) deter foxes from digging into the run. If your eglu and run and on solid ground (i use the run pegs to keep the run flat) then it is very unlikely that the fox will dig into the run. Many people weight the run 'skirt' down with wood/brick/plant pots etc. It is a risk but I for one, rarely close the eglu door. Being away with work means I can't lock them in every night as i am abroad. Plus in the summer when they want to get up at 5am, it means i don't have to let them out! Hope this helps and i have pm'd your regarding your signature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 Yep, I weigh the "skirt" down with boulders. So far so good. A few bricks are not enough....it has to be too heavy for Monsieur Renard to lift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...