Jeniwren Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Hi Everyone It's day 5 with my girls, and so far so good (apart from some seriously loud clucking at 6am this morning !!!) I'd like to let my girls free range tomorrow - day 6. Thought I'd let them out at about 7ish, so they could have an hour and a half before going in to roost. What does everyone think? Will they go in the eglu by themselves - or will I be chasing them in the dark around my back garden? If I move the eglu a little will that matter? The older hen is bullying the other one still, its happened everyday so far (it's vicious and worries me massively), perhaps I shouldn't let them free range cause the bullied one might decide not to go back in!!!! Sorry to be such a pain - I've already asked so many questions of you all. Why does a classroom of big scary teenage boys not fase me in the slighest, but 2 little hens are causing me such worry! Thanks for all your help Jeniwren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Letting them out just an hour or so bedtime is a really good idea. I wouldn't move the Eglu this time - they are not always blessed with brains (one of mine especially was certainly last in the queue ) - as then you may have a problem with them going back to bed. As it will be the first time out, they are unlikely to stray far from the Eglu and run, as it is all new to them. Then as the days/weeks go past they will get more confident in their suroundings and then before long no part of your garden will be safe!! They are very likely to go back into their run at bedtime by themselves, but having a bit of their favourate treat for bribary on standby might make you feel better - I know it did me!!! Regarding the Bullying - I have (yet) to experience that - but having more room and new things to investigate I would have thought would help. Goodluck and Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 don't move it without them in it I did this out a month back only moved the run and house 3ft took over an hour to catch them you'd have thought I'd moved it to the next town as for free rangeing i left both sets of mine in the run for 2 weeks before I let them out first time as sone as they were back in I closed the door it was a week before I had any problems getting the youngsters back in the big girls are easy to bribe with abit of wheat thrown in the run. the youngsters are far to clever to fall for that trick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Let them out, they will go to bed on their own, majority of mine go to bed at 9pm and boss hangs around for another 15 mins before she retires, if it is raining I put them in about 8pm and they see themselves to bed as soon as it is dusk Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
