Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Burtie14]

Hello! Tomorrow's the day! After months of planning and building, we've got our Cube, our WIR, and all our bits and pieces. We'll be off to collect our new little family of four tomorrow morning.

 

I've got a few roomy cardboard boxes to get them home in, but then what? Do we let them roam around the WIR and trust them to take themselves to bed later on? Or do we shut them in the Cube to get used to it, and then let them explore a bit later?

 

We'll probably be getting them home around lunchtime so it seems a bit mean to bung them straight in the Cube, but otherwise will they know where to go?

 

Thanks!

[chickyhazel]

I would put them in the run, as being confined might make them more stressed. If at night they don't put themselves to bed, try the torch trick. It works every time for us!

[Daffodill]

We let ours explore the run together, just let them settle in without too much fuss but we had to put them in the cube for the 1st 3 nights then we left them to it

[susanb]

we were advised to bring ours home as late as possible and put them straight into the eglu with the door closed so that they just went to sleep. The next day we opened the door and eventually they were brave enough to come out. That night they went into the eglu at bedtime no problem. We were also advised "no free ranging" for at least 7 days so that they really got to know their run. I think this was very good advice and am glad we did that for them.

[poachedegg]

When we've bought new ones home - we have put them in the Eglu/Cube for a hour and then let them out.

[sjp]

I did the same as poachedegg put them in the coop for an hour but I weakened after 3/4 hour as all 3 times it was a hot day so I opened the door and let them come out in they're own time fisrt lot took hour and half. secound about half an hour the last lot burst out of the door as I opened it. all of them have always gone to bed on they're own with the odd execption

[Gelbel]

I'd pop them in the WIR and let them explore at their own pace. They will be scared at first and bed time might be a problem but you will have a lovely time watching them and getting to know their personalities.

 

Lucky you!

[CatieB]

The fact you have such a range of answers just goes to show there is no real answer just what you feel comfortable with

 

We bought our girls home two weeks ago and put them straight into the cube itself but left the door open so they could access the run if they wanted to. They stayed inside together for quite a few hours and one by one tentatively explored much later on. They then put themselves to bed one after another.

 

I have no idea whether it is right or not but I'm happy with that because they seemed to settle together and I feel they bonded and became a unit. The braver girl Missie seemed to show the others the ropes and I've had no problems with them not getting on. They seem to follow each other everywhere now. Very cute

 

Good luck and I'm sure whatever you chose will be perfect.

[docsquid]

We had Omlet chickens. They were put into the cube run and that evening I put a torch inside the cube and eventually they figured out how to get up the steps and into bed. After that, they were left in the cube/run area without FR for a week.

 

With the first FR we let them out while we were out in the garden just about an hour before bedtime, and we did this a couple of times, and then gradually extended FR time until now they are out all day unless we aren't at home.

[Burtie14]

Thanks everyone. It was a fairly hot day so we popped them out into the run (and found 2 small eggs in the boxes!) They have been cautiously exploring but in the last couple of hours have got a bit bolder and been hopping onto the log and nibbling at the corn.

 

Only trouble is that our maran is being a bit over-enthusiastic in establishing herself as the boss, and is taking a few feathers out of the others, but I'm hoping she'll have calmed down by tomorrow.

[dannablue]

I did the same as poachedegg. I put mine in their coop and was going to leave it a few hours but after about an hour my eagerness to see them got the better of me and I opened the door. Within half an hour they were all out having a nosey. They settled fairly quickly. Bed time they started to panic a little so I just put my torch in the run and they one by one went in the coop. The second night 3 of them went to bed no problem, Sybil however was having a bit of a panic and couldnt seem to work out how to get in...the cutest thing happened...Maude (top hen) went out and coaxed her up the ramp and inside Been fine ever since. Good luck and keep us posted (with pics too)

[sewitall]

Mine arrived in the morning. I just watched them exploring the WIR and sat in there with them so they could get to know me too. At bedtime one went to the Eglu by herself but the other two didn't. So I just picked one and put her in through the door. Once she made it to the back I picked up the last and put her in. Gave her feather knickers a little push to make sure she was all in and then shut the door. Did that for 3 nights but then the temperature at night rose so I have been leaving the door open.