coultog Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 And surprisingly everything seemed to go to plan... I didn't kill any of them inadvertantly. This morning I woke up to an egg and some thick goo on the floor. I understand the thick goo may be a badly made egg, which wasn't formed properly partly todo with the move (an hour by car). Im going to through that away... Regarding the properly formed egg, do you think it's safe to eat? The goo and the egg where a couple if inches apart. Also the chickens didn't sleep inside the coop last night. I tried (and failed) to lure them in with pellets, but they weren't interested. They have been inside for a look around, but didn't sleep in there last night. How long will it be before they recognise it as somewhere to sleep? I've been told to put them in the coopt, but I'm not sure how with such a low run. Any ideas on this greatly received. Thanks for all your help in advance. Gary 24 hour veteran chicken keeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Hi Gary and welcome to the forum the good egg will be fine to eat, enjoy it! 'softies' (eggs with no shells) are common when hens are young so dont worry Try putting a torch in the coop, they will go towards it when it gets dark. If your run is fox proof you can leave them to sleep out but if they get in to the habit of going in it will make it easier in the long run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruciebumpkin Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Hi, when we first got our eglu, our hens didn't want to go inside either. Ours didn't love the torch (they are awkward) so two of us gently clapped our hands either side of the run - before it was very dark and they lost their brainpower - and they slowly went in. The night after, they found their own way in... now we have a job to get them out in the morning because they are pretending to be broody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coultog Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 Awww, you're both stars... Thanks for your thoughts... I'll try the torch and if not will make plenty of noise to get them in at night... By the way, I have an Eglu classic. Cheers, G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coultog Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 Just to let you know, I've just got home to find an egg in the coop, so obviously one of them knows how to get in there. I don't have a torch, so will have to leave trying it to another day... Perhaps as they've found their way once, they might just sleep there all on their own.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Mine found it hard the first couple of days to find where to sleep (even though they managed to both lay in the nest box ). I ended up just picking them up & putting them in ! After a couple of days they put themselves to bed. Are you giving them time to go in ? Mine do wait till its quite dark before they retire !!! Teenage stop outs !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Are you giving them time to go in ? Mine do wait till its quite dark before they retire !!! Teenage stop outs !!! good point - if I go out even a couple of minutes too early, they see me and go WAHEY! more treats! and come charging out again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 My ex batts go to bed much later than my other girls, I have often shut the cube door and sorted out their food and the ex batts are still out in their run, eating The ex batts seem to want to enjoy every minute of their new found freedom . Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 The ex batts seem to want to enjoy every minute of their new found freedom . Chrissie Aww My last 2 lot of chickens figured it out straight away but my first lot took ages to get the hang of going to bed One silky in particular needed lifting up and putting to bed for over a week before she did it herself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
