kuko Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Hello everyone! Don't know if anyone can answer this before sunset but we have had our ex-batts for a week now and they are not putting themselves to bed. My question is are we doing it too early and they would do it themselves if it was a little darker? The other night - probably night three - we left it and a couple panicked. Any wisdom would be appreciated! Love Tra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Pop a torch in the nesting box and they will gravitate towards the light when it gets darker. Worked for my new girls but they were not ex batts. Worth a try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I'm not quite sure that they know the difference between night and day due to where they have come from. I would physically put them to bed at sunset Three weeks time and they will be doing it for themselves, I'm sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 are they in an eglu run cos that is not easy the torch is probably best, have you got the roosting bars in? they may not like it, I take mine out and they sleep in the dustless chopped straw all cuddled up. If they are in a wooden one, is there a ramp, they could be too weak to climb up or just not understand.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuko Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 Thanks everyone for your lovely replies! Tried the light and it worked a treat! Wow! All four were standing on the ramp waiting for each other. They are starting to get stronger and it's great to see them being hens. Today 2 of them bathed in the sun and it was precious! Thanks again, appreciate you all taking the time!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Hello everyone! Don't know if anyone can answer this before sunset but we have had our ex-batts for a week now and they are not putting themselves to bed. My question is are we doing it too early and they would do it themselves if it was a little darker? The other night - probably night three - we left it and a couple panicked. Any wisdom would be appreciated! Love Tra Have the same problen with ES (7). Tried the torch but he just used it to read Winnie the Witch under the duvet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I had the same problem with some of mine, some worked it out straight away, others......... The worst offender was Jemima, she could not work the ladder out. We have an ark and she worked out that the girls were up at the top but she couldn't find out how to get up there, even when she would watch another girl walk up there in front of her. I wanted her to learn about the ladder rather than just lifting her up there each night so I ended up crawling through the run for several nights and putting her on the ladder and then shoving her upwards Glad you are sorted now with your girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...