BeckyBoo Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 We have five chicks, well, nearly 16 weeks old actually, so fully feathered up and really just immature hens. They are lovely, even the boys and I'm not looking forward to letting them go, BUT THEY WILL NOT GO TO BED! Every evening they roost on one of the branches in the run, so every evening, when everyone else has gone to bed, I go out, in the dark, and the rain and pick them off the roost one by one and put them in through the nest box hole. In the morning they come out and potter about, do chickeny things, then in the evening they go back to their roost again They've been fully integrated with the big girls in the run for weeks now and whilst they still keep a bit to themselves there is no pecking or bullying. We've had one success with Dandelion who DOES now put herself to bed but the last four, two boys, a girl and a not sure are determined to stay out. Any tips please? Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Our babies used to do that too. The big girls would make a fuss about them going into the cube, so the babies used to roost on the ladder. After several nights of complicated manouveres with a broom, I decided to just let them get on with it, figuring that they would go to bed if it was cold. Lo and behold, as the big girls finally accepted them, they all trooped off together and now all 5 of them snuggle up together with Tilly - the original Omlet hen - sitting in the doorway (Which is never closed) keeping guard. I think it is just a matter of time. As Dandelion has now grown up enough to cotton on to where to sleep, I am sure it won't be long before the others follow suit. Good luck! Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 This is a guess but why not try removing the branches in the run for a few days. Its something thats worrying me when mine arrive so shall watch this with interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Maybe when it gets a bit nippier they will put themselves to bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 As you know, some of mine roost in the branches. I've left them too it and am assuming they will start to go indoors as the nights get cooler. Will be interesting to see if they do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Mine do it too Mrs B, since Sonic has gone (he HAD to go to bed so he could be kept quiet until a reasonable hour!) I don't have an issue with them sleeping outside so I've just left them to it. Bedtimes can be fraught for new ones and it might take a couple more weeks for them to be fully accepted. With ours there is a particular order in which they go to bed and if it gets screwed up and someone jumps the queue they all pile out and have to start over again! I think with intros that when they can all go to bed together of their own volition, that's the point you know they are fully integrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordelia Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 i put a torch in the eglu.....the two rhode islands will roost anywhere...especially when they can get close to the light in our lounge...the cream leagbar will go to bed no problems at all.... the torch inside the eglu usually does the trick for us, or I have to collect them and put them in bed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
