[Eblana]

Hi,  I don't keep chickens myself and know absolutely nothing about them apart from what I have slowly but surely learn't by reading all your posts.

I am in a bit of a panic here tonight.  The plot opposite me has been taken on by somebody new and I noticed that they have a lovely new chicken coop on it.  I strolled down along the path beside it earlier on to take an admiring look at the coop only to discover that there were two chickens in there, as it was all locked up I assumed that they hadn't gotten any chickens yet.  When the girls heard me outside they kept tapping at the window in the side at me.   It has been playing on my mind all afternoon that surely the girls should have been outside.  There is a run outside for them but the feeder in there was empty and there didn't appear to be any water left for them even if they could get out (the coop did have some sort of a box above the door which had a red, green and amber button on it so I amn't sure if this is some sort of an automated door opener that has failed or something like that).  I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight worrying about them.  Is it ok to keep them locked up in the coop for most of the day - we were there from 10 am until nearly 4 p.m. and no one had put in an appearance during that time. Any suggestion on what I should do?

[BobE]

Site administration. Phone call.  Can you check them tomorrow.

[Sparkyrog]

Site administration. Phone call.  Can you check them tomorrow.

if not you need a big hammer !

[BobE]

if not you need a big hammer !

But that might lead to legal repercussions.  If you can't get anyware tomorrow then I'd phone the RSPCA.  They will react to dogs in cars so isn't this similar.  Tomorrow is predicted to be very hot.

[Sparkyrog]

if not you need a big hammer !

But that might lead to legal repercussions.  If you can't get anyware tomorrow then I'd phone the RSPCA.  They will react to dogs in cars so isn't this similar.  Tomorrow is predicted to be very hot.

I have no faith in that lot !

[joyfull]

could you see if they had any food and water in the coop?

[joyfull]

also the site manager would surely have a contact number for the owner and let them know that the auto pop hole opener had failed for some reason.

[Eblana]

Private site and the owner is on holidays at the moment.  There is only a little heart shaped window in the side so I couldn't see inside.  There is another guy up on the plot who keeps chickens as well, he is usually there in the late afternoon, I will try to go up around the time that he is on the plots and ask him to come down and have a look with me.

[Eblana]

Just googled automatic coop openers and the box that is above the door is a chicken guard one alright.  I have managed to get a contact number for the son of the allotment site owner and I am going to text him to see can he make contact with the owners to let them know.  The thoughts of the poor things tapping at me trying to get out will drive me mad all night.  Hopefully there is food and drink in there for them because there certainly isn't any outside for them.

[BobE]

Your doing the right thing.  If tomorrow is anything like predicted here then it will be hot.  Can you press a button on those door things, is there a manual control.
Try not to worry tonight, they will be asleep by now.  Tommorow is the point to worry.  So sleep safe tonight.

[nerdle]

How irresponsible of them on to get someone to check up on them. 

[loretta cluck]

Cant believe some people...yes, how irresponsible!  Is there an update yet?

[rogersimons]

yes you can press the open button to overide timer i have one myself they are normally very reliable but if the batteries are dead it wont work.you can however open the door manually tho.

[snow white]

any news?

[loretta cluck]

This was the first thing i thought of when my alarm went off this morning!  What's happened with these poor chooks?