clunky Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Can anybody help l bought two speckled hens on Sunday when l got them home to free range they went straight into the eglu now everyday since when l let them out of eglu (no run attached yet) they have some pellets and a drink and return to eglu and only come out for food and water now today l thought when they come out l will close the door so they pottered around for a few minutes and found the shed and stayed there all day!(shed door fallen off in wind). When l bought them they were in a big chicken house so wondering if they had ever been out they are 20 weeks old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Hi Clunky, welcome to the forum . I'm not an expert but it may be that they just need time to adjust to their new surroundings. I know you're supposed to keep new hens confined to their run for the first 5 days so they get the "coming home to roost" instinct and know where "home" is. Perhaps if you have no run, they're finding that tricky . Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along soon . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 ANH, you are quite right! Yes, they are just settling in, sooner or later when they feel comfortable, and if they spot you with treats they will venture out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 I got my girls in October and they are the same. At first they were fine, but as soon as the dark nights and bad weather crept in they don't want to be outside anymore. They will come out for food and water and when I put their treat bowl in there is a mad rush down the ladder then a mad rush back up the ladder when they've finished. I'm hoping they will want to venture out more when the weather gets better. They really don't like the wind at all Poor girlies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChicken Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Our girls were 20 weeks old when we brought them home and had been living in a large barn with about 30 other hens. For the first 3 days they barely left the Eglu, after that they slowly started to settle down and find there way around. After 8 weeks they are still changing and discovering new things... much like my 2 yr old daughter but with less brains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Mine only ever go IN the eglu to lay or to sleep. They are out at all times in all weathers (in their run when not free-ranging)!!! As you don't have a run, I suspect it's a security thing and they will settle down in a few days. Don't worry about it. My other advice would be to keep a close eye out for foxes though, if you haven't got a run for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...