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

[thelurch]

Picked up our very first hens today yay!

 

They seem very happy in the WIR, and late this afternoon they started venturing up the ramps to the mezzanine levels.

 

My only worry is, they haven't ventured up the ladder and in the cube yet although I picked 2 up and put them in there, they had a quick peck and jumped down.

 

I'm guessing we will need to go and put them in tonight and close the door but at this time of the year what sort of time would they be looking to turn in for the night? We don't want to shut them in the cube too early!

 

I've read about the torch idea but I'm guessing physically putting them in there would be the easiest option for the 1st few days?

[chicken bark]

Mine are currently going to bed about 9 if that is any help.

 

Pics please.

[sjp]

mine take them selves to bed about 8pm ish but tonight been as it's lashing down they'll go off earlier

[johnandkymberley]

Mine go to bed about 8.30, i put mine in but if one goes up the others should follow xx

[quickcluck]

Well done on your new girls!

 

They won't go anywhere until dusk so don't panic... Go and see where they are, and you might be pleasantly surprised to see they've taken themselves off to bed! If not could can pick them up and put them in the house or place a torch in the house and they should follow the light into bed!

 

Let us know

[thelurch]

All 5 tucked up in bed I'm so impressed and with no intervention from us.

We went up at 8.30 and they were still pecking around, came back at 8.45 and one was halfway up the ladder, backed off a bit and within 5 minutes they were all in, and door shut.

 

Just a little noise as they found their places, we know who is the dominant hen!

 

Let's see what time they want out in the morning!

[quickcluck]

Oh bravo girls!!!

 

Let them out when you get up, they'll be fine...

[cavysqueak]

Congratulations on the new additions. Looks like you've got clever hens - putting themselves to bed on the first night is very impressive! I ended up on my tummy crawling up the Eglu Classic run like I was in Army training trying to persuade the last of three hens to go through the Eglu door! Once the first was in I thought it would be easy - but Mimi decided to bed down next to the door, rather than going in. When I came out the knees of my jeans and my lower arms were very muddy & smelly (you can guess what the smell was!).

 

Enjoy your new feathery companions XxX

[chicken bark]

Oh bravo girls!!!

 

Let them out when you get up, they'll be fine...

 

I agree. Let them out when it is best for you otherwise they will run you ragged. I let mine out about 7.30.

[thelurch]

Well the morning is here!

 

I awoke at 5.30 to a noise, was it the hens? No it was a cat in a distant garden having a moan! Fell back to sleep and woke to my alarm at 7.00, no noise, got ready for work, our 4 year old son was already dressed and had tried to unlock kitchen door.

 

We all went up the garden at 7.30, still quiet, a few slight noises, slid open the door and watched, then gradually they came out one by one and tucked into food and drink.

 

Was nearly late for work because I was so transfixed!

[chicken bark]

The perfect hens!

 

You need to update your signature now!

[Bexibex]

Congratulations on the new additions. Looks like you've got clever hens - putting themselves to bed on the first night is very impressive! I ended up on my tummy crawling up the Eglu Classic run like I was in Army training trying to persuade the last of three hens to go through the Eglu door! Once the first was in I thought it would be easy - but Mimi decided to bed down next to the door, rather than going in. When I came out the knees of my jeans and my lower arms were very muddy & smelly (you can guess what the smell was!).

 

Enjoy your new feathery companions XxX

 

I am so pleased I'm not the only one who had to crawl on their belly to get their hens in on the first night. It took me about half an hour and I was absolutely covered in mess - disgusting! Luckily they have taken themselves off every night since!

[chick wiggle]

Congratulations on having very clever chickens there Its not often they put themselves to bed first night.

Im not surprised you were nearly late for work, they are absolutely absorbing creatures arnt they?

Would love some piccies of your new girls Any names yet?

[thelurch]

After the success of night one, last night we were thinking was it a fluke that they all put themselves to bed?

So last night we waited till 8.30 and went out, they were all in the cube already and silent!

 

Hopefully our 4 year old son will take note!

 

(and it seems they have got the hang of the super glug, which I was a little concerned about)

 

We now have a diary full of friends who want to come and see them.

[chicken bark]

 

We now have a diary full of friends who want to come and see them.

 

and enjoy the odd free egg of course.

[thelurch]

Yes will have to patiently await the first egg, whenever they start