4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Ms Marple]

I have been the proud owner of an additonal 3 chickens (from EmmaL) since May 9th and whilst the pecking hasn't been too bad, it has been clear that there are/were two distinct groups. In addition, my quiet ladies, suddenly found their voices and started displaying ' ladette' behaviour ie shouting the odds!!

 

I went out this evening to tuck them in (admittedly a bit late as I had been watching Ashes to Ashes)only to end in in a panic having lost 2!!! Or so I thought.

 

Even with the outside lights I had not spotted that three in the eglu (was in fact 5!!!!) and that poor old Mistress Mabel was alone in the cube. Had to resort to torchlight to be sure and was confronted with 5 indignant faces in the eglu and one seemingly content chicken in her palatial boudoir - the cube.

 

Is this a sign that they might all go in the cube by the end of May when the ex-bats are due??

[Egluntyne]

It looks likely.

 

Why not ladle them over into the cube when they are drowsy if they roost in the Eglu to accustom them to waking up there. After a few days you could discretely close the Eglu and lure them into the cube with corn.

 

I've done this a few times and it does work.....although there is usually one who is a bit dimmer than the rest and doesn't always get it!