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

[womersleys]

Hi,

 

We got 6 hens last weekend and they have settled in really well. Already on 6 eggs a day!

The only problem we have is at night the chickens are all sitting on the cube roof rather than going inside.

We have to pick them up one by one and put them inside.

The cube is in a 3.5m x 3.0m x 2.0m high cage so they just fly on top of the cube.

I originally thought it may be due to them not liking the the slippery plastic ladder that came with the cube. We changed this for a ladder made from 2x1 that goes right down to the floor which they are fine with judging by the speed they charge down it for the food in the morning. Plus they also use it during the day to go inside to roost.

 

So how do we get them to go inside on there own?

 

Any advice would be great

 

Thanks

[Patricia W]

Chickens naturally like to roost high up. You could try putting something on top of the cube so they can't get on there and you'll find they're likely to go in the cube instead.

 

Another reason why chickens sometimes won't go in a coop is if there is red mite- but I'm assuming your set up is new? Might be worth checking though.

[womersleys]

Chickens naturally like to roost high up. You could try putting something on top of the cube so they can't get on there and you'll find they're likely to go in the cube instead.

 

Another reason why chickens sometimes won't go in a coop is if there is red mite- but I'm assuming your set up is new? Might be worth checking though.

 

Thanks for the reply. The cube is brand spanky shiny new and always clean so there shouldn't be any reason why they won't sleep in there.

 

On a seperate subject. Do your chickens go mad for garden worms? If one finds a worm they all go crazy fighting each other for it.

Funny to watch though. My dad went round the garden digging up worms for them!

[Henchanted]

Hello

OK three things spring to mind

1) I just want to check whether you poo pick ( I use old kitchen tongs and collect into a dustpan) the house tray/roosting bars every day. Just thinking that if not and with 6 girls they might not like going in.

2) how late do you leave them before putting them in? Mine always go in when its really dark - mind you its a classic run

3) have you tried enticing them in with the worms and even a torch inside the house they are naturally attracted to light, so I have read

Sorry if you already know all this, can\t think of anything else, good luck

[womersleys]

Hello

OK three things spring to mind

1) I just want to check whether you poo pick ( I use old kitchen tongs and collect into a dustpan) the house tray/roosting bars every day. Just thinking that if not and with 6 girls they might not like going in.

2) how late do you leave them before putting them in? Mine always go in when its really dark - mind you its a classic run

3) have you tried enticing them in with the worms and even a torch inside the house they are naturally attracted to light, so I have read

Sorry if you already know all this, can\t think of anything else, good luck

Hi, Thanks for the advice.

We normally give it a good clean every other day so maybe not enough. They normally go in just as it is getting dark. We have heard about the torch idea before but are yet to try it.

The worm idea is a good one aparently some people throw raisins in there and they chase them.

 

Definately try the worm idea!

 

Thank You

[karlotta]

The torch idea works a treat. Put it inside before it gets dark and they should trot up the ladder.

 

I really can't imagine that a bit of poo would put them off! Chickens REALLY don't mind dirt!