Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[PhilipCaldwell]

I got some new chooks a week and a half ago, i seperated them from my original chick Edith, i did this with bamboo. I made 'temperory housing for the newbies by cutting a door in a large plastic box and thats where they sleep.

 

Introductions have gone ok so far, they free ranged together no problems at the weekend, with only minor disagreements. I left them locked in all together today with no problems, however I want to know how to start getting them to all sleep in the eglu together, i tried to do it tonight but the newbies just want to sleep in the plastic box!

 

I tried puttting a light in the eglu to attract them but they ignored it

 

Any pointers?

[Space Chick]

I'd pop them in the Eglu once they have settled down, as they are getting on well

[Plum]

Take the plastic box away maybe Well done it's really good news

[PhilipCaldwell]

i did try and take away the box, but they where bokking really lod and pacing around where the box used to be.

 

Should I go put them in the eglu now space chick, now they are all quiet and it is dark?

[Space Chick]

I would

[PhilipCaldwell]

ok then, i will go do it now, dressing gown and torch in hand

 

I have been suprised how well they get on, Edith leaves them alon 90% of the time, if they get to close to her she will shoo them away a bit, she did bite the black rocks head before, but this will subside in time??

[Stevie]

Yep,move them when its dark and they wont realise whats going on.Chickens are like most other animals-they're creatures of habit.

[Stevie]

ok then, i will go do it now, dressing gown and torch in hand

 

I have been suprised how well they get on, Edith leaves them alon 90% of the time, if they get to close to her she will shoo them away a bit, she did bite the black rocks head before, but this will subside in time??

 

They'll always be petty squabbles and theres nothing you can do about that.Its just poultry life im afraid.

[chick wiggle]

Impatiently tapping fingers waiting to find out how you and your dressing gown get on moving your chooks.

Just make sure your up early in the morning to let them out (dressing gown optional)

[Space Chick]

There will be squabbles. I have 2 girls that hate each other so give each other a wide berth and another gets a bit stroppy if her routine is disturbed and then she picks on everyone

 

The biting will subside, she's just ensuring she is top chook. I have had a newbie comb pecked through the run today Give it a week or so and it will calm down, although if any blood is drawn, put violet spray on the wound, and if it persists you can bumper bit the offender

 

Impatiently tapping fingers waiting to find out how you and your dressing gown get on moving your chooks.

Just make sure your up early in the morning to let them out (dressing gown optional)

 

Although all the best Omleteers frequently go out in PJ's and wellies

[PhilipCaldwell]

Haha, i went out under cover of darkness, i decided not to use the torch as every night when i go out to check them Edith runs out of the eglu whenver she sees the torch beam. i put them in the eglu no problems, i left the door open though, should i lock them in together?

[PhilipCaldwell]

I have 2 girls that hate each other so give each other a wide berth and another gets a bit stroppy

 

Its funny really, but Edith only ever seems to attack/shoo away one of the newbies. She is fine with the Bluebelle, its like they have been buddies for years, she only seems to dislike the smaller of the newbies

[Space Chick]

Give it time As long as the one girl is getting access to food and water I wouldn't worry. Sadly there always has to be a bottom chook in the pecking order

[PhilipCaldwell]

i have 2 different drinking and feeding stations so she hopefully will be getting enough sustainance, I also bought a super glug (though i never see them use it, it does seem to go down)

 

Poor new chook, bottom of the pile

[Chicktastic]

Hahaha Spacechick!!!! "Omleteers in PJs and wellies!!!!" I go out in PJs and wellies all the time and not just to sort out my chooks, my doglets get the PJ/welly treatment too!!!

 

I was working one of the gundog scurries at last years CLA at Belvoir Castle. The campsite got a shock in the morning when out of the tent I come with bright pink PJ bottoms complete with little black stars. Outfit classily finished off with green wellies and a green fleece!! Everyone else was boring and got dressed before coming out of their tents!!!

[PhilipCaldwell]

just an update, i went out to check them before i went to bed, i sneaked out and quietly closed the door, i took off the eggport then turned the light on, they were all snuggled up together!when Edith saw them next to her, she gave both of them a quick peck, so i turned off the light again quickly!

 

This morning, all seems fine, no bloodshed or bald patches!They are still giving Edith a wide berth though

 

I think the same again tonight til they get the hang of going in the eglu

[sandyhas3chucks]

awww well done