Single hen

[lizziee]

Hi everyone, new to this, only had my 3 girls for 10 days. everything was fine at first they loved there new home and enclosure. But now they don't seem to want to come out. Not even 1st thing in the morning when i take them thier food (growers pellets and mixed corn)

any ideas?

[ted]

Could be the change in weather. Mine tend not to come out when it gets colder and especially the wind. They are only bantams and get blown abbout a bit... Are they eating and acting normally in other ways?

[lizziee]

Thanks for the reply, new to this so don't really know what normal chicken behaviour is.

They seem to be eating normally, Blanche the light sussex has a bit of a runny bum, but she seems to be eating normally. Went and let them out into their enclosure this morning at 8 o'clock with their food and they still haven't come out to feed? They do seem very skitish and very nervous of noises and people, We will eventually let them free range but a bit scared they won't come back.

[Egluntyne]

Welcome to the forum.

 

How old are your hens?

 

Perhaps they have had a fright. Any visiting dogs, cats, squirrels, etc?

[lizziee]

my girls are 16 weeks old, I did see a cat by the run yesterday afternoon but the biggest hen topsy made a lot of noise and scared it away, We are very lucky we live in guernsey so don't have foxes or squirrels.

[ted]

Hi,

 

Any change?

[lizziee]

hi ted

unfortunately no change, hardly came out at all today. Only when i tempted them with some grapes . Blanche still has a funny tummy(soft and green!!!!) so no treats for a while i think. I have been reading some other topics and thats what seems to be the correct thing to do ?

[Egluntyne]

It is.

 

Just give them time, they are still quite young and probably feeling a bit overcome.

[lizziee]

Thanks Egluntine,

I had to feed them in their house this morning as they wouldn't even come out for their breakfast, I only put a little tub in and the rest outside to try and temp them out. Still waiting !!!!!. Hope they feel more comfortable soon, i'am worrying i'm doing something wrong.

[ted]

just a thought... you could put a couple of logs and some hanging stuff in the run as toys to "interest" them?? if they are eating drinking and sleeping then they are ok and you are doing the right stuff so dont worry!!!

 

 

 

Good luck!

[lizziee]

Thanks Ted

Will try that, I've hung up some brocolli which try didn't like. I even threaded some sprouts on a string and hung them up but they haven't touched them. I might try a cd on a string, i just didn't want to scare them.

[lizziee]

Maybe my chooks are broody?

They are only 16 weeks old. At what age do they usually get broody and Would they all get broody together?

Very confused

[Egluntyne]

No....they are too young.

 

I would encourage them out of the house and close the door for a while so that they have to eat and drink outdoors, otherwise they will never get used to it. If they are cold, why not put a clear cover over the run, that way they will be out of the draught, but in the sunlight.

[ted]

How are they getting on??

[lizziee]

The girls are slowly getting better, they still get spooked and run into the coop, Then i go up and talk them out again Nothing is getting done in the veg patch

The things they love are a cabbage hung up, an apple on a stick and weetabix with probotic yogurt.

I'm in all day today so this is going to be their first taste of free ranging. (Thats if they ever come out)

[ted]

Sounds encouraging if there is improvement. They sound like they are finding their feet. Before long they will be rotovating your garden for you.

 

Cheers