Eglu Cube, auto door, walk in run for sale South West London

[sezra]

Tonight was my first night with the chickens and as it started to get darker I kept looking out to see if they were making any move towards the Eglu. It got to 9.30 and I decided that must be late enough for a chicken to go to bed so we went in to the run to put them away. The lovely lady where we got them from said "Just shoo them in, guide them and they will go, dont pick them up or else they will expect this every night!".

 

Well, that didnt work, they ran around the run, trying to avoid us and in the end I just picked them up and put them in much to my daughter's disgust!

 

My questions are;

 

1. What time should I put the girls to bed if they dont go themselves?

2. Does anyone have any tips for encouraging new chickens into their Eglu?

 

I am hoping to have a better night tomorrow.

 

I look forward to your replies!

[Mollie333]

I agree.

Shoo them in, dont put them in. if there in a secure run and your out with them, just leave them to go in by themselves. it must be hard, you've only just got them, there getting used to you, and the Eglu.

[Tutti Frutti]

Some people shine a torch in - the chickens apparently follow the light

 

I've not heard of the "don't pick them up and put them in" thing before - IIRC I did exactly that in desperation and mine manage fine now (I also shooed them in with the giant green, plastic leaf-scooping hands!).

 

My POLs go to bed about 7:30, the older girls by about 8 to 8:30. I would definitely put them to bed before dusk (chook chasing in the dark is impossible!) and ensure the run is securely locked. Don't worry, they'll soon get the hang of it

[sewitall]

Now they know where to go to bed and have mastered the art of scrabbling on the perches to get into just the right position they will probably go bed to all by themselves tomorrow night. Mine sleep in the same spot every night.

[grb944]

Did you get this advice at Cotswold Chickens today ??,, because I was there earwiging the same conversation beween the shop owner and a lady buying chocks,sorry I was poaching the advice you were getting !!!

 

I've got an omlet Cube..will I have extra problems with the ladder ?

especially the jump to the first step ??

[sjp]

mine have beening going to bed about 8:30 except for Hope she dosen't go to bed while there's any daylight left but this last week it's been about 9:30 -10:00 but I think thats down to the fact that the folks at the back have a bar b q most evenings and my lot keep hoping for an invite

[sezra]

Did you get this advice at Cotswold Chickens today ??

 

Yes I did! I was there with the children, it was quite busy but she always seems to spend enough time with you, I didnt feel like I was being rushed.

 

I have seen on this forum that others have had initial problems with their hens going up the Cube ladder initially, from what I can remember the chickens either get used to it or people have adapted it. Maybe if you do a search the thread will come up.

 

I did think about letting them put themselves to bed but I dont want to be chasing them around in the dark!

 

We will see what happens tonight.

[Chucky Mama]

My chickens are completely rubbish at being shooed They did from day 1 however go up the cube ladder to bed - despite the fact that they still find the ladder awkward to use.

[sezra]

Sadly I only have a Go. I am hoping it does the job although I have been wondering whether the Classic would have been better! I would have loved a Cube! Maybe next time???

[Daffodill]

I put my hens into the eglu forthe 1st 3 nights then left them to it- they had got the idea by then and I ve had no problems since

[THF Nick]

Our cockerel goes to bed about an hour before it's dark. If the others aren't in within a few minutes of him going to bed he goes out to get them!

[Pipichick]

Unfortunately Ginger won't let my other 2 girlies go to bed until she is good and ready. So last night Blanche & Doodle were standing just outside the run door nodding off, until Ginger decided at 8.50 it really was about time she caught up on her beauty sleep and disappeared into the cube.... Within 10 seconds the other 2 had followed her up and we had 3 hens tucked up and ready for bed

[knackered]

I have just been going out at about 10pm before i go to bed and they have made their way in - maybe you're trying to get them to go to bed too early? It's still quite light at 10pm.

[oneyolktoanother]

I have just been going out at about 10pm before i go to bed and they have made their way in - maybe you're trying to get them to go to bed too early? It's still quite light at 10pm.

 

yeah if i try and get mine in before ten they give me a right telling off so as the runs secure i let them go in when there ready ususally just before ten (luckily i get to watch my programmes! ) then i go and shut them in

[Elaine-chick]

I know this is prob not a helpful reply but .... once your girls are safely in the run why don't you just wait till they take themselves to bed then go back out and lock the eglu door ? I don't worry about the time, I'm sure it will vary with the seasons, its still light at 21:30.

I'm new to being a mum to chickens, but was adopted by 3 lovely ex-bat girlies on 22nd May. I have an eglu classic and, after previously reading about bed times, did wonder how I would get them into the eglu as I would not fit in the run !!

Anyway, when I brought them home and put them in the run they settled in nicely, eating, drinking and pecking about. It got dusky and I started to worry. One would go in the eglu, and another, then just as I thought they were all in for the night - one would come out before I could close the door - and so it went on. Anyway by the time it was getting dark, I went outside quietly as I could, stayed at the back of the eglu and before they could do the "one in one out" trick I closed the door. The next night I just had to verbally coax Edna into the eglu.

I didn't let them out of the run for 3 days, I know I should have probably waited longer but couldn't wait ! First time out of the run was another worry - would they find their way back in ? They did need a bit of guidance, and it was funny to watch their confusion as to why they could see each other through the run meshing but not get to each other But they soon got the hang of it. Anyway, after they had free ranged for a few hours (and they did keep popping back into the run periodically) I just closed the run door once they were all in for a feed, then followed usual bed time procedure.

Now as it gets dusky they wander back into the run one by one, Valerie is usally first as she likes to get on the nest before the others arrive, Gertrude is next in then Edna is usually last (she is adventurous and appreciates every last moment of freedom !"). Once its almost dark they're all in bed and I can close the door and know they are safe for the night.

Sorry for the long post - but its the first time I've got to talk about my girls

[gargan]

My questions are;

 

1. What time should I put the girls to bed if they dont go themselves?

2. Does anyone have any tips for encouraging new chickens into their Eglu?

 

I have never had a problem with chickens not going to bed. During the summer, when the days are longer, they tend to stay out longer. That is not a problem, unless you are worried about foxes. If they are in a secure run, let them go to bed, whenever they want. Meaning, let them be, they will find their way into their Eglu.

 

One way of introducing them to their new homes, is to put them into their cosy and prepared Eglu upon arrival. They will of course immediately find their way out, but by that they will hopefully have learned that they can also go in there. They may even decide to stay in there for most of the first day.

[shoura]

I don't take any notice of the times my girls get up or go to bed! They are in a secure WIR and the coop door is open 24/7 all the year round ---and I don't think I'm a bad chicken mummy!!

[chicken bark]

Mine go to bed at dusk - which is about 9.45pm at the moment. If Summer doesn't want to go sometimes I speak to her sternly and she seems to know the games up, or with Ruby I have to herd her in like I'm a sheepdog. I use a garden cane to guide her (I never touch her with it obviously).

There's not much chance of getting them to go to bed if there is too much light.

[migsy]

I make sure mine are in the eglu run and they go to bed themselves as I leave the pop hole open all night.

[mole]

only had my 6 chickens for a few nites now. first nite i had to chuck them all in the cube, next nite all but 2 put themselves to bed so i just picked up the last 2 and put them in and last nite they all went to bed on their own

 

they like going to bed around 10pm

[JulesL]

My 2 new girls take themselves off to bed in the Eglu at about 9.30 but my old girl, Betty, refuses to go into the Eglu herself now since having the new girls. She perches on top of the Eglu run. We have to physically put her into the run and shut the door. We leave the door to the Eglu open all night (the run is secure) and she will then take herself off into the Eglu eventually. I just wish she would go into the run herself now. We can't leave her on top of the Eglu run because the WIR has no roof.

 

What can I do to try and get her to start taking herself off to bed again? We've had the new girls for 2 weeks now.

[honorandkit]

Hurrah!

Second night here and they've taken themselves to bed.

Think I'll leave the pop hole open until I go up for a bath at 10pm.

[sezra]

Hurrah!

Second night here and they've taken themselves to bed.

Think I'll leave the pop hole open until I go up for a bath at 10pm.

 

That's great, clever chickens!

 

We had one out of four which is an improvement on last night!

[louise62]

I have just had my girls for a week and from the first night they put themselves to bed about 9-9.30. I go out to close the eglu door and there is not a sound from them. This evening though I think I caught them just after they had gone to bed as I heard them chatting to each other as I closed the door I wanted to say, 'night night, sleep tight', but I know that if they hear my voice they will come charging out of the eglu looking for treats

[Guest]

Our chooks go to bed when it starts to get quite dark - so they are not currently in their eglu until 10pm. If it's not quite dark we have to quietly open the back door and sneak down, otherwise they will pop back out again! Rest of the year we leave them to themselves but we have to lock them up in the summertime because they get up at 4 - 5am, bokking noisily for reasons best known to themselves (eggs, magpies, just coz they can?? )

 

Re your second question ... try a sweeping brush! It's a tried and tested method, and very reliable!!