Solitary chicken - need advice

[jennifer]

A week now since arrival and the girls have had plenty of time for exploring the garden out of the run. However all the seem to want to do is walk over to the patio and sit under the garden table and chairs. They then hardly move as if sheltering from the rain (except not raining!). The only thing I can think off is that they are then in full view of the kitchen door and are just waiting for treats or want to know whats happening inside. The problem is there's a large amount of droppings where we don't want it under our table! I move them along to the grass and beyond with treats but they just go straight back when treats are over.

They also seem more nervous a week into their new home - we've only managed to pick one of them up once and the other one is proving difficult to get near. Any similar problems?

[Jools]

Hello and welcome

 

Have you tried moving the table to the area of grass where you want them? Most commercially bred chickens are raised in large barns so they aren't used to that great big blue/grey/black thing above them - they might just feel safer sheltering under something like a table initially - until their curiosity gets the better of them

[theherd123]

With regards to you picking them up and them being nervous once the chooks have gone to bed and you have shut the eglu door you can open the egg port and stroke them or lift them out for a cuddle.

Chooks are more docile in the evening after they have gone to bed so you could try this and see if it helps.

[Guest]

 

It can take a while for chickens to feel settled enough to allow you to pick them up - my first lot were well over 20 weeks, and ready to lay before they would let me handle them properly.