Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Stedic]

Hello Omleteers,

 

I'm afraid I need to consult with you again!

 

I've had my first two girls since Sunday, and have spent the last few days worrying myself sick about them! They didn't go to bed on the first night, but I popped them in and on Mon, Tues and Wed nights they were fine, went to bed all by themselves with no worries (on their part at least!). Last night Poppy put herself to bed, but Cybil was outside at 9 ish when I wandered down. She was sleeping outside the pop hole and it seemed like I woke her up, after which she took herself off to bed.

 

Tonight however, they were both sleeping outside the pop hole from 8.30 to 9.30. I pottered down after some food and Poppy had gone to bed - but again Cybil was sleeping outside the pop hole. I noticed polly was right on the edge of the house, so her tail was in the way of the pop hole. I woke Cybil up again (which caused Poppy to move in a bit), and then she went to bed.

 

I'm a little worried that they don't quite seem to have gotten the hang of this yet, especially as I have 4 night shifts to deal with from Monday when I cant check on them. Cybil has also had fairly frothy yellow poos since she arrived - although I saw her pass something a lot more normal today.

 

Do you think this is a problem? Any tips or ideas?

 

The coop is a second hand Forsham, it was well cleaned before the girls moved in (P-shield and red mite powder) and I gave it a refresh with some P-Shield and Diatom yesterday morning, so it shouldnt be mites, should it?

 

Argh, can't believe how difficult I'm making chicken keeping! Please tell me it gets easier!!

[scarlettohara]

3 of mine have had to be 'encouraged' to bed the last couple of nights - I suspect it's the warmer weather

[Redwing]

Frothy tan/yellow poo is normal for the first couple of weeks after chooks are moved. After that they will still do one every so many poos (I think it might be one in twenty or something like that)

 

The sleeping thing could be because of the weather as Scarlett says. Also chickens sold now will have been winter hatched and may have been reared indoors, in this case they tend to sleep where they fall so arent used to going inside anything to sleep!

 

As long as you've done all the normal checks for mites etc.. you should be ok

 

If the run is fox proof enough for you to be happy leaving the pop hole open then do so otherwise a couple of nights of putting them to bed should be enough for them to get the message. A torch left on on the coop encourages them towards it at night, the torch can then be removed after the pop hole is shut

[JB09]

When I first got my chickens, I felt exactly the same as you. I was worried about everything and felt anxious. Now after a year, I couldn't be more relaxed. So don't worry its natural to worry, after all, you only have their best interest at heart.

 

One of my girls likes to stay out late, so I leave the pop hole open all night so she can go in as she pleases. Once they get in the habit of going in each night they should be o.k, they just need a helping hand at times! One of my girls does like to sleep outside from time to time. I have found sometimes its best to let them please themselves.

 

Hope this helps.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sometimes they just decide where they want to sleep and you can't do much except move them every night . It's not really a problem if they sleep outside, especially now it's warmer. All 5 of mine have been sleeping outside (in the WIR) for a couple of months now .

 

The frothy poos are probably just them settling down after the move. If they continue, it might be something to look into but hopefully they'll become more solid soon. You will get the odd frothy poo in any case.

 

It does get easier . I'm sure we were all bags of nerves at the start but you do get into the routine of it before long .

[Stedic]

Wow - thanks for the quick and supportive replies!

 

The run is sat on 400mm width slabs (so kind of a skirt), with string and tent pegs to prevent any fox sliding it off the slabs. Should be fox proof do you think? Or fox resistant at least! I've left the pop hole open tonight, I'll need to do it when I'm on nights so should try it and let myself relax!

 

Would you bring their food in, or leave that out too?

 

Thanks again

[JB09]

I leave mine out but thats only because I'm lazy and don't want to get up early to put it back in for their breakfast! I do clear away any spills they leave on the ground. A lot of people bring it in as not to attract rats. Again its personal preference.

[Redwing]

If the run has mesh 1 x 1 inch or smaller then try leaving the food out, if you have a problem with mice then bring it in

 

It does get easier and the worry eases off after a month or so, honest!

[txswanie]

Everyone says this and I didn't believe them at first but I promise, you will feel better in a few weeks. I have had my girls for a month and I worried myself sick before they came and for a few weeks after. I had 2 that seemed afraid of going into the cube at night, they settled down to sleep in the run. I couldn't leave them out there with the raccoons so with the help of the Omleteers I figured out that they were just not used to going inside at night and they were somewhat afraid of the the ladder. I also had a bully chicken who was sitting at the door of the cube blocking their way and pecking at them if they tried to pass. Soon sorted that out with a water pistol.

After a few days of gently picking them up and putting them on the top step they finally figured it out. Put a torch inside the coop, it seems to draw them in. Some of them like to stay up later than others but they all make their way in by dark.

I feel so much better about keeping chickens although I had a coyote scare this morning and I have sort of gone back to square one. Security issues aside, I have relaxed and started to enjoy my girls.

good luck

Colette

[Sheilaz]

My hens have been going into the Cube at dark, but roosting outside for an hour or two beforehand, I'm sure it's the warmer weather, so I hope that's reassuring. It does get easier, but meanwhile, keep asking, you're doing fine!

[Stedic]

Thanks everyone!

 

I left the pop hole open last night with the food out - I figured that one night would attract a horde of rats and I needed a bit of a lie in. This morning (predictably) the girls were fine, pottering about as usual and asking me for corn - its ok, I was strong and they didn't get any!

 

So will rats not get through if the mesh is less that 1 x 1 inch? I've got 1/2 by 1 inch mesh, and no huge holes anywhere, so thats a bit of a relief! Are the Eglu and Cube runs also that size? Rats are one of my bigger worries!

[Redwing]

A baby rat could get through 1 x 1 but it will keep most things out

[Mollie333]

Aww.

I cant give more advice than given.. But i hope they are ok, and i agree about the warm weather..

[Stedic]

Just a quick update for you all...

 

Last night I opened up the run for the first time - I'd screened off an area because my veg beds aren't protected yet. The girls came out after a minute or so and wandered around. They stretched and flapped their wings loads - I was absolutley convinced they were going to jump onto the run and then over the fence!

 

I managed about 15 minutes of stress, then coaxed them back inside with some corn and mealworms! As if to prove I was an idiot yesterday, they scoffed the corn, bok bok'd twice (with a hint of sarcasm, I swear) and took themselves to bed at 21.05! If they could have slammed the pop hole, I swear they would have done! Another try tonight then!

 

Thanks for all your help - its amazing to feel the support from the community! I've had absolutley no help from the people who sold me the girls and house, but you have all been brilliant! The only trouble is that I'm now craving an Eglu Classic!!

[Mollie333]

Great news!

A very stressful 15 mins accured when i first let my girls out.. We have no fencing, at all, so they can walk in to other gardens! Mad. ''EFFY GET AWAY FROM THAT BUSH- NOW!''

Goodluck for the future!