Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: francais on September 29, 2009, 20:04

Title: Newbie - daft question - Sorry :)
Post by: francais on September 29, 2009, 20:04

Hi,

I have been thinking of getting a couple of hens (just 2 for now) somthing me & the kids could enjoy etc, but this may seem a daft question...what time do you let them out in a morning & back in at night?

Thanks

Toni

Title: Re: Newbie - daft question - Sorry :)
Post by: lucylou on September 29, 2009, 20:10

hi there francais - i let mine out at 7.15 evry morning this time of year, they go into their house by themselves at 6.50pm but its getting earlier every night now.  :)

Title: Re: Newbie - daft question - Sorry :)
Post by: francais on September 29, 2009, 21:01

Thanks  :)   Is there anything I shouldn't do like let them out while it's still dark (cuz of foxes being around?) Basically, I have two options - my DH heads to work about 6.45 every morning, but not sure if this would be too early over winter months when it's darker. 2nd Option is I let them out at 7.45, but not sure if this would be too late.

Getting them in isn't a problem

Thank you

Title: Re: Newbie - daft question - Sorry :)
Post by: Nails on September 29, 2009, 21:10

Hi we let ours out at 06.30-7.00 and put them to bed about 7-8 but as the nights draw in thats getting earlier, we now feed them in the morning.

Title: Re: Newbie - daft question - Sorry :)
Post by: woodside farm on September 29, 2009, 21:28

You could build a small enclosed run around their house (fox proofed), just lock that up on the night time, therefore what evertime you get up in the morning you can open the run.

Michelle xx

Title: Re: Newbie - daft question - Sorry :)
Post by: matilda duck on September 29, 2009, 21:52

Our girls are let out about 7:30 on a morning but can be as late as 9:30 on a weekend! :ohmy: they put themselves to bed tonight at 6:30pm :blink:  As long as they are not overcrowded they don't mind too much!!!!!

Hello and welcome?

Nails what do you mean now the nights are drawing in you feed them in A morning??????
That's when they should be fed? :unsure:

Title: Re: Newbie - daft question - Sorry :)
Post by: francais on September 29, 2009, 22:16

Thanks all :)

Really appreciate your help :)

Title: Re: Newbie - daft question - Sorry :)
Post by: Foxy on September 30, 2009, 09:14

You could also consider an auto pop hole opener, I use them even though they are in enclosed electrified runs :)

Title: Re: Newbie - daft question - Sorry :)
Post by: parsleypig on September 30, 2009, 09:43

I would totally recommend an auto pop-hole opener. 

They are expensive but I went without a new winter coat last year to afford one and it has been so worth while.  You don' t have a to worry about letting them out in the mornings which is especially useful at weekends when you want a lie-in.   

At night time the girls will just take themselves to bed as it gets dark, the door closes as the light fades and the girls are already asleep by then.  Obviously you do need a secure run for this to work.