[dancing trousers]

I'm brand new to this chicken keeping lark, the girls have been here just over a week.  They have an Eglu Classic a kind hand-me-down from a friend and they have Omlet netting all round a nice big area.  My garden is enclosed with high walls although I guess a nimble fox could vault over my gate.  During these spring-summer evenings I can be around to ensure the girls are in the Eglu by dusk and locked up but what to do in Winter.  I may be out, it will get dark, they'll be inside but only protected by the netting.  Does a house exist that has a hen-only or self closing door.  I'd rather not have a run because they all look a bit small.  Any advice would be very welcome.  I have three chooks.

[arugula]

Have a look here:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=65865.msg752217#msg752217

[nerdle]

Have a look at Flyte so Fancy - auto pop hole cover. It really works and is totally liberating.

[Tony H]

Hi you can get them of ebay as well

[dancing trousers]

Thanks Nerdle and Tony H that's really helpful.  Thanks also argyllie but I don't think my electrical skills are quite up to the job.  Also I have an Eglu right now so I know I'll have to change the style of house.

[joyfull]

Hi Dancing trousers, omlet make a walk in run for their eglus - they are expensive though - perhaps you could find somebody to make one the same for you (don't forget the ground wire on the outside (although I would make it wider - say at least 12 inches (30cms). Eglus are a fantastic little coop that are easy to clean and keep your hens redmite free so this could be an option.

http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken+Keeping&sub=Walk+In+Runs

[dancing trousers]

yes I've looked at their runs, they don't solve the opening/closing door issue although they'd obviously be safe they wouldn't be warm in winter if they were in the eglu with the door open.  Also they are really expensive and pretty ugly.  I bought the Omlet netting and unlike some other contributors I found it really hard to put up on my own and some of the reviews about the run say it's a devil to put together. I'm still contemplating a wooden coop with a door opener and run, then keeping the netting so they get more space when I'm around.  They get a bit of free range in the garden but do try to eat everything in sight!

[joyfull]

I also bought the netting and yes it is at least a 2 man/woman job to set it up really so now just use it to keep them off my veggies (or at least will be doing after this weekend)). At least in winter the hens can stay in their coop later and they do go to bed earlier so it shouldn't be a problem for you to open and close them as they are afterall in your garden.

Sadly chickens and a pretty garden often aren't that compatable - bantams with feathered feet do less damage though in the scratching up plants department