lillybettybabs Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Has anyone had trouble getting their youngster to go up Cube steps. The three that i hatched last year have been brought up in a classic and just can't get to grips with going up stairs to bed. I have to lift them up at night or they will just sit and huddle at the back all night. Any suggestions on how to teach them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I put a plant pot under the bottom of the stairs when I first put newbies in the cube. I think they just follow the others though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 I'll try that, Jo was looking at the stairs tonight so i put her on the second step up and did the same with the others. Fran isn't being that welcoming at the moment which doesn't help i guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Yeah, you always get one sentinel who stops in the doorway and bullies the newcomers Don't tell me that you haven't clicker trained them yet, or got them sitting on command Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Well funny you should say that, I took Betty to the vets for some anti fungal liquid for her sour crop. I put the box on the table opened the open and said " Betty come out" she came out, He went to weigh her, i said " Betty stay" she sat perfectly still on the scales. After the examination i said "Betty in your basket" Betty walked into the box. The vet rolled his eyes and said " Only you could have trained chickens Karen" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 someone on here (I think it was WitchHazel) clicker trained hers. Mine are pretty well trained, but I don't use a clicker - one of the dogs hates the noise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 I put pipe insulation on the rungs for my bantams when I first moved them into the cube as well as giving them a step up to the bottom rung. It worked a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 Yay two made the stairs last night, Found Charlie asleep on one of the wheels . She's so laid back it's untrue (rare for her breed i think). I found two eggs in the back of the run so she has started to lay. Just waiting for Jo to make his/her mind up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 That's good news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Yay two made the stairs last night, Found Charlie asleep on one of the wheels Awww bless! I've got an old terracotta strawberry pot upturned and sitting at the bottom of my Cube ladder for my girls...they all use it but they're so funny...some climb each rung of the ladder in a very sedate manner and some launch themselves and fly straight in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 Just about to pop out and see who's in or out tonight, I have put a brick by the first step to help them. I can here squawking so i guess they are trying to get passed the evil one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 My white Frizzle Dotty is the grumpy madam who stands in the doorway preventing the rest of the girls going up to roost She keeps watch and if anyone goes up before her, she rushes up the ladder and chases them out Or she waits inside the Cube for them to take them by surprise! I'm making a big effort to give her lots of cuddles and have little chats with her about being nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 I have a chat with Fran too, I did notice that they were all digging together today but she is still doing her nightclub bouncer impersonation and bedtime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I had one which did that to some newbies - I used to take her out at bedtime (this was summer) and let the others get in before putting her back. I did that about 4 times and she got out of the habit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I tried that with Dotty but then found she wasn't being allowed in by Alice! They all get to bed, despite Dotty's grumpiness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
