Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 For the last few nights my girls have taken to sleeping outdoors . Not always all of them but usually up to 4 of them. I put 4 back inside this evening but left the door open to see what they would do. After a while they all came out again . Are they protesting at the full poo tray? Or will I find the dreaded red mite in the eglu ? My usual cleaning regime has suffered a bit over the last month or two . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Oh dear, lets hope they're just enjoying the alfresco lifestyle and you dont have any nasty unwanted visitors Fingers crossed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I'd have thought it would have been a bit cold for Red Mite, but it does seem odd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I've just spent over an hour giving three of mine baths after I found red mite n the coop when I went to shut them in I hope yours are ok ANH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 It might just be that they prefer to roost outdoors. I have a hardy cohort that sleep outside all year round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 I have a hardy cohort that sleep outside all year round Not familiar with that breed. Any pics Snowy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Egeltine would sleep outside all year if I let her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 What was the verdict ANH???? I have 2 marans that prefer to sleep outside, but I tend to poke them in the door as i'm worried they will freeze! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Egeltine would sleep outside all year if I let her! For a moment I thought you meant Egluntyne Brrrrr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 No more perching in branches for me. I'm too old for that caper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Hope you found nothing untoward! @ Egluntyne shimmying up those branches to perch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 I'd recommend you give the eglu a good scrub out and see if any critters are lurking. Give all your hens the quick once over too to check they're ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikey Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Egeltine would sleep outside all year if I let her! For a moment I thought you meant Egluntyne Brrrrr Me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mincepies Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 I managed to get rid of a red mite infestation really quickly using a spray on the coop and a powder on the girls. They didn't like this version of a dust bath but it did the trick! Got the products online, can't remember which brand but bought a bucket of the stuff in case the dastardly mites ever return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 13, 2010 Author Share Posted February 13, 2010 Well, I don't think there were any nasties in the eglu. I gave the whole thing a good blast with the power washer then a blast with Poultry Shield. I plan to dose the girls tomorrow. The eglu is sparkling and fragrant but where did 3 of them choose to sleep tonight? That's right, on the branches in the WIR . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Just a thought - are the branches in the WIR higher than the eglu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Well thats good news about the Eglu ANH At least you can rest knowing you have done all you can and that your girls are just blooming awkward Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Egeltine would sleep outside all year if I let her! For a moment I thought you meant Egluntyne Brrrrr Egeltine was named by a friend after one of her distant relatives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 13, 2010 Author Share Posted February 13, 2010 Just a thought - are the branches in the WIR higher than the eglu? They are, Jools, but the branches have been in place for months so I don't know why they've suddenly decided to sleep outdoors. Especially strange for Maisie, who was always first to bed . I suppose the weather's slightly better, that might be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Well if you're happy and they're happy to sleep outside, then you could just leave them to it, but if you want to re-train them to sleep in the eglu, I'd try removing the branches for a while. When I had my growers in the aviary last year, they chose to sleep on top of their ark rather than inside because it's their instinct to get as high as possible. I guess that if one of your's suddenly decided to roost on a branch, the others decided to join in the fun. Nowt so queer as chooks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 gould you have one thats decided that she dosen't want to share her bed with some of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 When I had my growers in the aviary last year, they chose to sleep on top of their ark rather than inside because it's their instinct to get as high as possible. When my Appenzeller arrived last year, she insisted on sleeping on top of the housing in the run She wouldn't sleep "in" anything, until she and my silkie were integrated with the rest of the flock, now she sleeps in the cube, but has to clamber half on top of another girl to sleep, usually either Rose or Leela are dull enough to let her do it ANH - Its proof how much they love their perches, as the photo on the Eglu thread had proved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Thats what I was going to say Space Chick! ANH has made the run so much fun for them they don't want to leave it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
