AgaSaga Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 So.... we have erected the chicken netting so that it surrounds my run so that my four girls have more room to roam (they have been confined to their walk in run) but they seem reluctant to come out of the WIR and explore. Its been open all day and Ive sprinkled corn on the ramp but they have only eaten the bits they can reach by stretching their head.....its left me scratching mine! Any ideas? Are they likely to come out on their own eventually or do I need to physically put them in the new pen. Didnt really want to lift them in as I want them to know how to get back to their house at dusk. What do you think? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 I'd just leave them to it. They're curious enough, probably just a little bewildered. They might not come out for a couple of days but it'll be better to let them come out under they're own steam. Treats might tempt them a little faster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey68 Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 I put my electric fence up on saturday and the girls came out very hesitantly for a scratch around... I did a bit of digging and then they followed me around the garden. I've noticed that today they were out but all kept together and then ended up back in their walk in run just in time for me to shut them in before I went to work. Im just keeping it at short bursts out free ranging until I've got the fence properly electrified. Each time they are out they are more confident, and this afternoon they were happily out digging and scratching and then came running to the sound of their corn tin... Im sure your girls will work it out soon!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgaSaga Posted March 6, 2012 Author Share Posted March 6, 2012 Thanks for your advice, it was the reassurance I needed to let them work it out for themselves....Im just so impatient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey68 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 How are your chooks doing now, are they all out and about ?/ :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgaSaga Posted March 11, 2012 Author Share Posted March 11, 2012 Well two are now free ranging within the netting, but my two Speckledy's are having none of it. They want to, and stick their head out of the entrance to watch the other two, but despite my best efforts to tempt them out with corn they are staying put. It's been a week, so time to bring out the big guns out I think....Im going to buy some grapes If that doesnt tempt them out I dont think anything will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey68 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Thats really funny! I haven't tried mine on grapes yet.... but I have tried corn on the cob... they went bonkers for it!! My Speckledy seems to be the lowest in the pecking order but she is a quite a noisy one and always announces the arrival of her egg and likes a good chat!! She is a consistent layer with a nice sized and evenly coloured eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
