THF Nick Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Firstly apologies in advance if this has been posted before. I got my first 3 hens a week ago and also spared a 1 year old cock from the neighbours stock pot and I would like to let them out of the run. Is it a good idea to just let them out and wonder the garden? We are fairly rural. Thanks Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Welcome to the forum, Nick . If they've been in their run for a week already, they will have "home" pretty well imprinted. A good tip is to let them out at almost dusk so they will be wanting to go to bed anyway when the light falls. You can use a handful of corn or something to bribe them back into their run too. Is your garden fairly secure? You may want to check for gaps and escape routes. They probably won't make a bid for freedom for a while but nosiness often gets the better of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THF Nick Posted March 13, 2010 Author Share Posted March 13, 2010 Thanks for the advice - I'll leave the run open from about 4pm this afternoon and see how they go. Regards Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 I did like you Nick and left them in for a week and when I let them out it was late afternoon. They were fine and put themselves to bed no problem!!!! Have fun; it's lovely to see them wandering around the garden pecking away (as long as it's not your prize vegetables!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 I havent got mine but was told a week by Omlet lady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THF Nick Posted March 14, 2010 Author Share Posted March 14, 2010 As advised I let them out at around 4 pm yesterday. They had a wonder round, a bit of a face off with my cat and then took themselves back to their run. This morning I let them out and the first thing the did was try to get out of their run - I guess I've started something now! I think I'll stick to letting them wonder the garden when I'm in and can keep half an eye on them. Also, I noticed that one of them is scratching round a lot in her nesting box - first egg on it's way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Glad it went well . The scratching certainly sounds hopeful . Is she crouching when you approach her? That's a good sign too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THF Nick Posted March 14, 2010 Author Share Posted March 14, 2010 Glad it went well . The scratching certainly sounds hopeful . Is she crouching when you approach her? That's a good sign too. She is Any tips on how I can shut the cockerel up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Glad it went well Nick. Always a bit nerve racking the first time! The shuffling around sounds just like what Betsy was doing before she started laying. As regards shutting up the cockerel I really don't know but isn't that what they do??! I'm sure someone who knows about cockerels will have some more constructive advice for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Unfortunately, that IS what cockerels do! It's why most of us don't keep them, my neighbours would be very unhappy if I had one and since I live in an urban area, I couldn't blame them. There are things you can do and if you search on here you'll find some discussion of them - keeping him in the dark might help, i.e. some sort of blackout, although you have to be careful not to block ventilation. As an extreme measure, you can try keeping him overnight in a box which will restrict him so he can't raise his head. However you should be warned that even these things don't always work, and I'm not sure it's fair on the bird. However, since it's your neighbour who gave him to you, presumably they have hens (and other cockerels) themselves, and won't be objecting? Look on the bright side- you won't need an alarm clock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I am a very impatient person. I let mine out straight away - the afternoon that I got them They seemed to know that the cube was home and they didn't stray too far from it. They put themselves to bed in the evening. The second night one go a bit confused and roosted in a hedge but apart from that they were fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THF Nick Posted March 14, 2010 Author Share Posted March 14, 2010 However, since it's your neighbour who gave him to you, presumably they have hens (and other cockerels) themselves, and won't be objecting? Look on the bright side- you won't need an alarm clock! Too right, he's boisterous little chap. He's the son of our neighbours cockerel and they were going to kill him a few weeks back because he was bullying his Dad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 It's normally good to have a cockerel as they will keep your hens in order and they minimise fighting, but they can be so noisy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
