Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Forestchook]

Hi,

Finally collected my chickens last night. Brought them home and put them straight into their new house, placing them onto the perches. Being soft I even put their food and water in there with them. This morning before I left for work I opened the pop hole door for them and placed their food and water out in the run. They showed no signs of wanting to come out. A little while ago I had a text fro Mum saying they still had not emerged into the run.

Do you think they are okay? They are used to free ranging (since hatching I think) so I am a little surprized they have not ventured forth. Mum asked if she should chase them out but I said to leave them to it. They will venture out when they get hungry enough right?

 

N

[Redwing]

Yes, dont worry they will come out when they are ready

[megalin]

My new girls hardly came out of the house for 4 days!

Just in the mornings to get food then they got chased away and stayed in the house for

the rest of the day. scared me solid. (My first chooks too so extra scary) They are finally out and bumbling around happily today...

I am soooooo relieved! I've been a vision of worry. Just make sure they have a few food and water stations.

Personally I've been putting out the second food a little bit later each day so that they get a bit bolder

each day.

Good luck, keep us posted.

megalin

[Chucky1]

I'm sure they will be fine. I remember how nervous we were when we got our first lot - I imagine that they are a bit the same - new surrounndings and new animals to look after

 

The second lot were so much easier, we were more relaxed and they had the old girls to follow

 

The third and fourth lot we hardly noticed - and yes its addictive

 

Good Luck keep us posted

[Forestchook]

Thanks for the replies. Apparently Bosley (cockerel) did venture out yesterday. He was in the run when mum went to close the pophole door . Fortunantly he'd found his way back in when she tried again later.

None of them seem very interested in coming out again this morning. I did have a moment of raised hopes on the egg front when, opening the coop to check on them, I saw one was in the nest box.... Then I realised it was Bosley Well, it was a long shot anyway.

 

N

[chickenopolis]

Don't worry - they are hardly resiliant little things, they will come out when they are ready.

I remember the first day and night we had our two - they didn't go up to the cube, they slept in the secure run.

I tell ya, I didn't sleep a wink that night - the next day, whilst walking around their run they decided to walk up the steps to the cube as if it was the most natural thing in the world - there I am with clenched teeth going "why couldn't you do that last night".

They soon got into a routine, and turning themselves in ginger diva's, but that's another story.

Keep going - they and you will be OK.

Sarah xx

[Powerlady]

I bet that by the weekend they will be charging out !!

 

Just takes a little patience

[txswanie]

I had the opposite with my first lot of girls. I couldn't get them into the coop. They all wanted to sleep on the floor of the run. I didn't want to force them in so I tried all the tricks putting a light inside, poking them gently towards the door (that just made them mad) but 1 would still not go in. We have coyotes here so eventually (after about 4 hours) I had to try to gently lift her in. She was not happy, I just got the coop door closed before they all charged out again. It took about 4 days of doing this before they got they hang of it.

I think your chicks will get the hang of it soon. A new environment must be a bit scary for them and chickens can be scared of the silliest things. Mine do not like bluejays or corn cobs hanging from the roof??????

Good luck with your chicks, they will settle down and you will feel a lit better.

Colette.

[BocBoc]

Don't worry - they will get used to their new surroundings in time and in a few days you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

 

Good luck!

[Forestchook]

Thanks everyone. They are improving. Apparently all three were out in the run yesterday. They were also more lively when I opened the pophole this morning; They were actually nearby and reacted to my presence by backing away. Every other morning they have been in roost mode and just looked at me. Next task: tame them!

 

N