ruxleyguy Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I have been keeping hybrid chickens now for over two years in an Omlet cube. I have recently replaced my stock and purchased two silkies, a silkie X and a Black Cochin hen all POL. I have had them for 4 days now and they are settling into their new home well, however, i am struggling to come to terms with how docile and lazy they are! is this normal with these breeds? I am having a problem getting Betty the Cochin into the cube at night to roost, she see's all of the other hens go up to bed but she seem's afraid or unable to jump on / climb the ladder. i have lifted her on and she will quite happily just sit there staring into the roost area but wont climb up! i have been putting her in every night and don't know what else to do! Has anyone else experienced this problem? My other hens have quite easily accessed the cube roost in the past. Please help!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Yes mine are laid back except when broody then there evil my frizzle has a problem getting on to the first rung of the cube ladder I have put two bricks on the floor under the ladder this seems to be enough to allow her to get on to the first rung and from there she's fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxleyguy Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 Good idea. I will set it up in the morning. I have put her on the ladder though and she just sits there! But may be it was too dark at this stage and she was probably half asleep!! In the morning when i open the cube door into the run it takes ages for them to come out, i'm just not use to this! my other chickens used to be making a noise first thing and would run out and immediately attack the food once the door was open. They don't seem to be consuming much food either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 You'll find they eat more when they come into lay - they'll probably be more active then, too. I don't think your girls are lazy, just being teenagers! They'll be behaving like middle-aged ladies when they start laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Our cochin has never had problems with the cube ladder, either going up or down. However, initially she was bottom of the pecking order and was reluctant to head up to bed after the other birds. She's still close to the bottom of the hierarchy but learnt to use her weight and bulldoze her way into the cube at night She's very gentle though - both with the other birds and with us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I have silkies and a cochin and both are very layed back compared to my others the cochin is huge compared to the silkie mop who is top lady . They all manage the ladder fine even my tiny frizzle pekings are good at getting up the evie the cochin dose stumble up and down them a bit but i think its her size and all them feathers on her feet getting in the way a bit . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxleyguy Posted September 21, 2011 Author Share Posted September 21, 2011 Thank you for your help with this, Hybrid birds were much easier!! But they are really lovely chooks so im sure i will get used to their placid nature. Thank you for your replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
