The Poultry Keeper

Ornitha · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Stevenage

Can i check something i have just assumed since my girls arrived in September, i religiously shut their pop hole door every evening after they have gone up the ramp, and then let them out into their run every morning do i need to this since the are completely meshed and covered?

Many Thanks

Knobby · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 6:46 pm Post subject:

Some people (if theyre totaly secure) dont shut them up......I still do, as rats and mice can still get in and steal there food. So, its up to you really.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

agree with Knobby. I used to always shut mine in at night ~ or at least my auto pop hole opener did.
If you're fully secure from foxy then maybe you can, but rats will take on chickens if they're hungry. Do you leave food and water in the run or house at night?

Ornitha · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Stevenage

I leave the water and food in the run and nothing in the house for them once they have gone inside they don't eat again until morning....is this correct?

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I never used to have food or water in the house, but I did take the food out of the run at night, so as not to encourage ratty.

Pete&Jackie · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hertfordshire

We have been thinking about investing in an auto pop up hole for our chooks. One slight problem though...... where the hell do you get them from????? Embarassed

nigel · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 8:26 am Post subject:

You can buy them from

Ascott Smallholding Supplies

The Hen House

Wells Poultry Housing

Quite often the guy who runs Wells Poultry Housing also puts them on eBay (sorry I can't remember his name) Embarassed

We have one and wouldn't be without it, they are simple to install, with adjustable light settings, and ours have had the same 4 AA batteries in for 18 months

chicken_house_man · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 129 Location: Brynmawr

Really name - Simon Wells

If you want one give me a call 01495 313838 / 07970 517938

Pete&Jackie · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hertfordshire

Thanks for the prompt replies as always! I will be in touch with you after the festivities if that's ok? Be prepared for me to ask lots of stooopid questions about it!!! Rolling Eyes

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I asked him lots of questions when I had a second hand one and he was very very helpful. I didn't deliberately seek him out he just happened to answer my question on pp forum and then continued to help in pms. Gave up in the end and bought one from him and the timer ~ excellent. Also got my rollaway nestbox run from him too ~ only problem it didn't stop the girls going broody even if they did have to sit at a slope!

HeatherBB · Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 154 Location: Chelmsford

I have only just purchased an automatic pop hole door opener from simon at wells poultry and it is fantastic!!! Very Happy

It was extremely easy to fit and is well worth the money!! I can have my lie in at the weekend knowing that my chicks are all happy foraging about in the garden and when we went away over xmas it made life alot simpler for my sister-in-law who came to feed them. Haven't yet fitted the timer as yet but will get round to it as the dawn breaks earlier and my boys noisier Wink

!!

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

fitting the timer is really easy too. I put mine inside the house so I could go in and alter times easily as the seasons changed. There's lots of wire supplied too so you have room to decide where you want it to be.