Mr Rhode Island Red Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 I am planning on getting a few more hens, but my hen house is filled to capacity with 9 hens. I was planning on getting a second house, and a few more hens and put it in the same run (A walk-in-run) as the original house. Off from the run is my orchard which is very large for the 9 hens that free-range on it during the day. I would plan to run the new hens in the orchard during the day together with my established flock. But here is the question, when it comes to the hens heading in to roost at night, can they be trained to go to their particular house? Having the established flock in one house and "flock 2" in another house. Is this possible, or will they have my heart broke going into each others houses? Thanks, MR RIR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Just wondering why you want them to go into specific houses if they are running together during the day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share Posted March 29, 2013 Well, to avoid them favouring one house to another. One house is full to capacity and a second one would be needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 I used to have my hens split between 2 Eglus, and they all piled into the same one. It bothered me more than it bothered them! I used to hoik a few of them out through the pop hole and put them in the other Eglu under cover of darkness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 I must admit that I haven't tried this, but I think it would be difficult especially if the houses are in the same walk-in run - they will just decide for themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 I have added two new girls and had divided my WIR for the intros with a coup in each . After a couple of weeks I took the division down and still have two coups and they just have sleep overs in each others now .One morning I will find two in each ,another all four piled in one.I have not found it a problem at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 I've got 3 groups in 3 houses with a bit of bribery and corruption they do go into the right house most of the time even the ones that have been moved about. but it's not fool proof if left to their own devices some will go into the wrong house at bed time plus they will lay in which every house they want to if they are FR when it comes to laying time If you are starting a 2nd group from scratch in a new house then that's half the battle through just take your time FR them all together until the new ones have learnt to accept the house as home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Ehhhh despite having the most gorgeous cube, my 8 all try to cram into 1 eglu at night. This includes a humungous light sussex and a gigantic brown leghorn. They will sleep where they want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
