Such a bad

[Smart Red]

. . . chicken mom I am.

This morning I started doing the breakfast dishes before I let the chickens out. By the time I went outside, the chickens were already prowling for bugs and weeds. I stopped by to thank DH for letting them out. . . but he was as surprised as I was that they were outside already. He did not let them out.

Then I remembered! I came home from BFF's house with a chicken treat at dusk. All the chickens were in the coop, but came out once I tossed the snack for them. Since they were out, I couldn't lock them up. I returned to the house with the intention of locking them in later. OOPS! Never happened. They stayed exposed to the neighborhood varmints all night -- the big people door w i d e open.

Luck was with me last night, my friends. Everyone was hale and hearty this morning. Hopefully, the predators were so used to circling the coop to not avail that they didn't even bother to check the one time I was negligent. Bad, bad me.

 

[NwMtGardener]

Heh, all's well that ends well. You'll probably remember diligently for years after that scare!

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

guess i could say i'm in the same boat, but with my peahens. i've been working a job that by the time i get home it is after 8:30pm and getting darker each night. my dh hasn't always been diligent in getting the light on early enough to get the peas interested in getting their behinds in the house early enough. so if it is too dark out by the time i get home one or both peahens won't get into the house. i either have to try and net them off the top of the run fence or they stay outside all night. :/ it hasn't been fun a few mornings when they decide to start honking at 5-5:30am. or in the case of one lady, she flew up to the roof of the house right over our bedroom. woke me right up at 5:30 and i was not a happy camper.

 

[digitS']

Linn Bee, I just tried to send the power payment to the water department . . .

I'm thinking, something seems wrong here, I'm paying them twice? Maybe it is because I'm thinking about the fires & potential of fires here . . ! I'm putting power into water! Please, no electrical storm tomorrow - just some rain!

Maybe you will have to remind yourself with some new or additional prompt like, "I'm locking the living room door. Did I lock the coop?" No, that may not be a good one - you might be out in the dark checking . . .

Steve

 

[bj taylor]

done that one. it's scary to think what might have happened.

 

[lesa]

My brain and schedule are not dependable! Dh made us an automatic pop door, using an electric drill. No need to rush home every night... Best darn thing ever! Glad your gals were okay!

 

[bj taylor]

I have the auto pop door now too. had it about 1 yr. no fail yet. it is great

 

[Ridgerunner]

When daylight saving time changes is when I often forget to lock them up. I get into a routine then when the change hits, I mess up.

Ive been lucky so far when I forget but I have removed three possum and four raccoons since the start of the year. The threat is there.

 

[thistlebloom]

I've done that too. It happens most often in the summer when I'm some times going to bed when it's still light and the chickens are still outside goofing around.

 

[MontyJ]

Wow, close call Linn! I doubt we could get away with forgetting even once. Fortunately, Dew is on top of it. If it were left to me, they would probably spend many frightening nights with the doors open