[niccid]

I am thinking of getting some chooks, but need to stay away from home from saturday morning to sunday afternoon once a fortnight. I would like advice of what you would do. Would they be safe if door was left open and they could come and go in a secure run? And what is the best way to secure a run from burrowing foxes (never seen one, but that doesn't mean they aren't around).

Hope these are not silly questions but I want to do the best by my chooks and do as much question asking as possible before I get them. Thanks.

[Fifitrix]

Hi Nicci

Welcome to the forum.  We're all potty about chickens here and think that getting them is the best thing we could have done.  But speaking personally for me in some ways they've proved to be the biggest commitment out of all my pets as we often are away at weekends so I have had to find a friendly neighbour who doesn't mind letting them out first thing in the morning and putting them to bed last thing at night.  She also goes over during the day to collect the eggs because mine lay during the morning and I don't want the eggs to stay around too long incase my lovely ladies are tempted to eat them!  :shock:

So do you have a neighbour who might be persuaded to do the same?  You could pay them in eggs and they'd only need to do saturday evening, sunday morning.

Good luck  

[Foxy]

one night shouldn't be a problem. As long as plenty of food and water to keep them going(I would store in the coop in case the extra attracts vermin) However, no matter how secure I think my run is I would never leave the pop hole open all night. I have automatic door openers for 2 of my big henhouses particulary useful in winter when I may get home after dark.
wells poultry supply them although expensive I find a worthwhile investment for peace of mind.

http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/door_opener.htm

[niccid]

Thanks for the warm welcome and the advice. I asked both my neighbours and both are happy to help out when I need to be away from home.

One neighbour said he had looked after chickens before and the other said she had been wanting to get chickens for a while and would love to help out. So result there then. Thanks again, i'm off to do some more research.

[Tigerhair]

I am in Derbyshire as well, so if you hit a problem anytime, perhaps I could help out?
Imogen

[niccid]

Thanks Chick (no pun intended, lol)

I might just take up your offer. What chooks do you have and where did you get them?  

[Tigerhair]

I don't have any (though I WANT them desparately!).  We had loads when I was a kid - bantums and rescued Rhode Island Reds (who were my faves!)

[peggyprice]

Which bit of Derbyshire are you in, Nicci?

(and welcome to you and Tigerhair - you're practically twins   )

[niccid]

Oh yeah, just spotted that. Joined the same day and both from Derbyshire, lol.

I'm in Ilkeston, which is in between Nottingham and Derby, we are right on the edge of the town with lots of countryside near and a farm just up the road.

[Tigerhair]

Ashbourne, if you didn't already know.   Trying to get allotments up and running here.