Hello Folks,

I'm in the latter stages of deciding to rehome some ex-bats, but want to make sure I'm ready for the commitment, hence all the questions...

Was just reading this on downthelane.net:

"I am pretty sure that those who have Chickens, then change their mind after a few month's do so because they either don't have a Lawn left or have found the novelty of feeding them at 6am on a snowy day is too much."

I rise fairly early most days to see my Husband off to work and tend to the dog. Will the Hens look after themselves till say, 8am? This would be the latest I would get to them (for example on the odd morning I might have a sore head from the previous evening!) or would you say that if I can'd tend to them that early then it wouldn't be fair to keep them?

Thanks for all your help and patience...

basically we take a full feeder out first thing when letting them out of there house they also have a full bowl of watter at this time. there food is left out all day for them as is the watter. around dinner time i take them out some fresh fruit or veg aswell. they have the run of the garden during the day when i am home so will hunt for all bugs aswell lol. you have to makesure they get plenty of fresh watter. i bring there food in when i lock them up. hope this helps hun. chooks are really easy pets n yes they demolish your lauwn but saves u cutting it

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http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/michellebendle0711

I usualy feed ours after I've worted the cats & dogs so usually about 7am weekdays but 7.30 - 8am at weekends. From what I have read they only eat when it's light so feeding them in the dark at 6am on a winters morning wouldn't make any difference.

Just try to keep as much of a routine as possible but allowing yourself the odd morning really won't hurt them

I usually leave their food out all day then give them some corn in the afternoon or grapes/pear/apple early evening. They really aren't any hassle at all

Ah thanks sweet. Do you think they'd be okay not to be let out into the run (and eventually the garden once they have adjusted and settled in) until 8ish? I just read that comment I quoted off of downthelane.net and thought I can't commit to letting them out at 6am every morning! Am I taking it too literally?

in the summer months let them out as early as you can you can buy a auto pop hole and most of the new ones run on solar so no need to worry about the battery running out

you can set it to open at what time you want that way you dont have to be there to let them early but they are kept in the house they can be out in the run

as for feeding

i feed min first thing every morning normaly around 7am

then they will have a scattering of corn on the afternoon as they dig about and eat grubs and what ever else they get there beaks on through out the day aswell

as long as they have access to fresh water they will be fine

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we feed ours around 8am to 8.30ish they are then let out in their runs all day and apart from checking on them during the day dont feed them again unless it is some garden stuff or kitchen scraps. they seem happy enough.

jenn