Birds bed time problem

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Birds bed time problem

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ston

Joined: 23 May 2005
Posts: 7
Location: Epsom Surrey

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 05 6:48 am Post subject: Birds bed time problem

I am thinking of buying or making an automatic pophole, but the cockerel does not go into the coop at night unless I guide him in. So the automatic pophole may lock him out rather than in. The main reason for the having him locked in is so that his crowing will be muffled until a decent hour for me and my neighbours.

Can you recommend a method of teaching him to go into the coop when its dark ? Our holidays are looming and I have the feed and watering arranged but asking for a twice a day visit to let them in and out is a little much I think.

Also has anybody designed their own pophole opening system or is the VSB door opener the only practical solution ?

Thanks

ston

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 05 8:21 am Post subject:

Does he stay out all night then? It could be he's just waiting a bit later before going to bed. Our hens will stay out much later if I'm out with them in the garden so perhaps cokerals do stay out a bit longer?

If the house and run is secure you could try setting the timer quite late and see if you catch him. Because our ark is completly enclosed I have left the hens with th pop hole open on the odd occasion in summer.

Let us know how he gets on.

ston

Joined: 23 May 2005
Posts: 7
Location: Epsom Surrey

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 05 6:09 am Post subject:

Well last night I checked them at 1030pm and they were all roosting in the coop so maybe I havent waited till its really dark enough I will have to do a few more late night checks

I have also had a suggestion of putting a light in the coop at dusk.

I might give it a go with one of those solar powered garden lights. I could rig it so the solar panel and sensor for when it’s dark are out side, but with the light inside the coop. They don’t give out that much light and don’t last that long which might be ideal for this purpose

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 05 7:15 am Post subject:

What is the light meant to do? I'd have thought it would just keep him up?

Can the pophole be closed manually and still be left to open in the morning (thus meaning your lookerafterers only have to visit at night, to swap food and water, and close up - then the hole opens in the morning at whatever time you choose to let them out? I'm sure when I read about these things they were being used by someone with an allotment and that's what they were doing. I would definitely not trust it to shut all the creatures in as even when it's dark ours have been known to wander out.

viciouslittlething

Joined: 14 Jun 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Bath, UK

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 05 4:00 pm Post subject: bedtime for chickies
My Cockerel goes to bed first, he chases all the girls in at night, but i must admit they have been going in at about 10pm, it's so light. Not that i am complaining... How are you going to work the mechanisim? I thought it might be a cunning idea, but then that would be ultimatley lazy on my behalf... Kellen

ston

Joined: 23 May 2005
Posts: 7
Location: Epsom Surrey

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 05 5:44 am Post subject:
I am still toying with a few ideas making it work is easy. its making a sytem that works and is cheaper than the off the shelf systems that is tricky I will let you know how I get on

ston

Joined: 23 May 2005
Posts: 7
Location: Epsom Surrey

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 05 5:44 am Post subject:
I am still toying with a few ideas making it work is easy. its making a system that works and is cheaper than the off the shelf systems that is tricky I will let you know how I get on

Wombat

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 396
Location: SW Cheshire

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 05 6:45 am Post subject:
If you want them to go to roost, putting a light in their coop is the last thing to do! Wombat

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