Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Ariella26]

I'm going to collect my new chickens this weekend and am so excited. It's been such a long wait and then when everything was all ready, the breeds I wanted weren't....so I've head to wait a further four weeks!

 

I have a couple of questions about settling them in. We will be collecting them around 2-3pm. I've heard it's best to put them straight into the cube so they know that's where they sleep and then to let them out the next day, but would that be okay so early in the afternoon? I don't want them to get stressed being shut up all day, especially if it's a warm day.

Do you recommend I do this or just let them in the run and then show them the way to bed when it starts to near dusk? (I've heard that can be a bit tricky!!)

 

We've prettied up the garden in the area the cube and run is. I love the idea of getting some solar fairy lights to hang over and around the run and see a few of you have done this. I wondered if you just have them up in good weather? We've got a clear tarpaulin to cover the sides and roof for bad weather. In this lovely sunshine and dry spell, we'll obviously have it rolled back. Do you take down your solar lights when the plastic is over your run? I assume it may be a fire hazard otherwise. I love the idea of having the solar lights up all year around but I'm not sure it'd be possible with the tarpaulin on. Does anyone have any advice on this please?

 

I can't wait to post photos when the girls arrive and have settled in.

[Luvachicken]

How exciting for you.

I can't wait to see the pics.

I don't know if this helps, but my dad has solar lights all around his pond all year round. Obviously they aren't so bright in the winter but it does look pretty. Mind you, they are very blue and think that they might one day get muddled for the Heathrow flight path

I think if they are LED lights they don't get as hot as the old fashioned type Christmas tree lights, but I don't know how much of a fire risk they would be.

I'm sure someone else will be along soon that knows more.

[sadietoo]

I don't know about the fairy lights but I wouldn't shut them in the cube itself when you get them. They will need to eat and drink until bedtime. I believe it can be a bit tricky getting them up the ladder to start with. My girls did manage it ok, but it may be handy to have a ramp at the ready...If you shine a torch from inside the cube it should also give them an idea of where to go..

 

Enjoy your new girls and pictures are obligatory on here!! x

[Chortle Chook]

Well done you - fun times ahead

I'd not shut them in either if they are due to arrive at a decent time in the afternoon. I'd place them in the cube and shut them in for about 15 to 20 mins only, then let them find their own way down into their run with a few meal worms at the bottom to encourage them down the ladder

[Cheeky Chooky]

Everyone has their own way of doing things of course but I wouldn't shut them in the Cube at all. I'd put them in the run and let them familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. I've never had a chicken not know where to go to roost but you can always put them in yourself on their first night if they don't find their own way I've got an upturned terracotta strawberry pot at the bottom of my ladder and some use it while others fly straight up onto the ladder Have fun with your new girls

[Ariella26]

Thanks everyone. I have an upturned terracotta pot at the foot of the ladder to help them up. The farm has said we may be able to collect them after 5pm now. Do you still recommend letting them explore the run that evening? I can't wait to meet my girls and want to ensure their arrival in their new home is kept as stress free as possible.

[SMS6]

we collected our first 3 at around midday and we just put them straight in the run. they found their own way in to the house in fact one of them popped in and layed an egg about an hour or so after we brought them home

[Ariella26]

We're getting them in the morning, so I'll pop them in the cube for a wee while and then let them out to explore. I can't wait!!! Hoping for a dry but not baking hot day so I can sit outside and watch them.

[angeluk69]

make sure you charge your camera and have plenty of tea/coffee available, because you will definitely be needing it...my kids come downstairs in the mornings and ask my OH where I am, then they say 'oh i bet she's with the chickens!'

[Ariella26]

The camera's ready.

I'm looking forward to sitting in my animal section of the garden with my cuppa each day.