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

[JoanneFrizzle]

Hi,

We put our two lovely new 13 week old frizzle hens into the run yesterday evening. They pecked around a bit shyly at first, then pecked each other. They had been reared in a barn, so have never been outside. We eventually persuaded them into the at dusk and they settled down.

 

The problem is, this morning when the door was opened, they didn't come out. We are worried as they have not eaten the rearer pellets or drank any water from the glug It has been four hours now and they are still in there! Is this normal, will they starve ?

 

Any advice appreciated.

 

Joanne

[Tweety]

Hi Joanne,

 

Don't worry, they won't starve! They are just getting used to their new surroundings and are probably very nervous. If I were you, I would gently encourage them out of the Eglu and close the door so that they have to have a wander round the run, and I'm sure that they will eventually find their food and water. Don't forget to open the door later though! Good luck, enjoy your little girls - I have 2 frizzles too, and they are adorable little things, if not the brightest of creatures!

[Olly]

You could try tempting them out with some corn or grapes, but I wouldn't worry - they won't starve, they are just a bit shy. In a few days they'll be rushing out as soon as they hear you approaching!

[JoanneFrizzle]

Hi,

Thank you both for the advice, we did about 30 mins ago manage to entice them out with a dish of pellets. They now have found the water in the glug, but not yet the pellets in the grub. These omlet food bowls do look so different from what they are used to. They are very pretty hens. We have decided to call them Tinkerbell (Tinks) and Frisky. How old are your frizzles Tweety?

 

Joanne

[Tweety]

Hi Joanne,

 

Glad to hear that they have emerged at last! They will soon get used to the grub and glug. My two are frizzled Pekins and are 11 months old now - unfortunately, they have a tendency to go broody at the drop of a hat, so much so that I am tempted to buy some Frizzle hatching eggs to stick under them. Are your girls true Frizzles or the frizzled version of another breed?

[JoanneFrizzle]

Hi Tweety,

I think they are true frizzles. One is a buff and the other one is a golden. They came from a lady who also breeds cute polish hens. Off this afternoon to get some grit and possibly some Verm-x, as i have been told we need this.

 

Joanne

[Redwing]

They sound very pretty Joanne, a Frizzle took top honours at a major show last year

 

I wouldnt worry about the food bowls being different, most chickens will figure out where the food is pretty quickly (though they will give you a guilt trip in the meantime )

 

Flubenvet is a good chicken wormer, Verm x doesnt have the medicinal effects that Flubenvet has as its a herbal preventative rather than treatment, they may get upset tummies in the first couple of weeks with you as chickens dont tend to be happy being moved! I would let this settle down before worming them

[Egluntyne]

It will take them a few days to settle in and feel at home . Don't worry.

[JoanneFrizzle]

Thanks everyone.

 

Joanne