xChicken04x Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Hiya, Iam a little confused of what omlet mean by the hens going to roost at dusk what time is dusk anyway? We have only had ours for 2 days (nearly 3) and on the first day as to be expected they didnt know where to go. This resulted in the whole familily running round (in there PJ's and wellies) the chicken pen trying to round up 6 hens. Tonight they still didnt know where to go so the same thing happend. We are very gentle with them and dont grab them just firmly get them round the wings. Are we trying to get them in too early? We try for between 8:30 and 9. What time do you get your chickens in? thanks for any replies xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh sarah Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 hi i have only had my 2 chickens for 3 weeks but they get themselves in at about 9 - 9.30 i think it depends on the time of year and when it gets dark but i am sure someone more knowledgable will let us know sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Ours were confined to barracks for two weeks before ranging, mainly because the garden wasn't chicken proof. I think it helps them establish where home is. Ours usually head for bed between 9 and 10 unless the security light comes on and they think it is morning again! Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxford hen queen Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I got mine yesterday and had the same problem last night - got to about 9 and they were settling in nicely in the run - not ideal! After trying unsucessfully to get them to go in the eglu one escaped and a half hour of hilarious chasing later we had them safely in the eglu. Tonight around 8.30 they put themselves to bed with no hassle at all. Our 2 girls are incredibly dim - haven't even attempted to sort out a pecking order and took hours locating both the food and water - but they seem to love their eglu now!! Dusk apears to be around 8.30 to 9.30 in this part of the world but I suppose it depends on the hens!! Good luck - they'll get it eventually! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanchick Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 My three girls went into their cube at 7.45pm tonight and it's usually around 8pm, which always seems early to me but they seem happy with the arrangement, even though I don't let them out until 7.30am! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I think sometimes it depends on the weather - mine stay up much later if it's been sunny, but they like to snuggle up early if it's miserable out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah 2 Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Ours go to bed about 9:30pm. The 1st night we put a torch in the eglu which seemed show them the way to go. Apparently they follow light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I put mine back in the run at 6pm, and they go to bed at about 8.30pm at the moment. AMO's girls, who we were looking after, would usually still be in the run at about 10pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Ive been out int he garden all night with them, they finally went back in the run just after 9:30ish.......Really depends on the weather its been lovely here today so I think they where making the most of it...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted August 2, 2007 Author Share Posted August 2, 2007 Thanks for the help. i feel uterly embaressd now we where rounding them up at 8:00 about an hour and a half early. I feel so guilty now, the poor things are probably terrified What should we do tomorrow? Just leave them? They found the nesting box and layed us 5 eggs (one of which i broke by accient ) so they should know where there home is right? thanks again xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 It's best to get them in before it starts to get dark, because that's when the foxes start to prowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted August 2, 2007 Author Share Posted August 2, 2007 Should we leave them till about 9:45? and if they are not in we will go out with a torch!!!! Our run is secure its made of weldmesh and has paving stones around it too. Tomorrow we are going to add to the security, i just hope the chooks forgive us......if we cant round them up has anyone got any tips on hw to get them in? we've tryed bribery the just nicked the food and ran xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Yeah, if im not out and about I like them in the run about 8 -8:30......That way the firestation is still quite busy and I dont think the foxes are around much before then....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 As long as they are inside their large run and safe from foxes, you should be OK leaving them to it tomorrow night. They know where to go now and will choose their own time! Just check on them before you go to bed yourselves that they have all found their way in safely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I'm amazed at the different times! mine are always in between 8.30 and 8.45 at night, whatever the weather. and let out any time from 7.30-9am! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susiepoos Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I think it's in their nature to go to roost when they feel it could be dangerous i.e. when it gets dark and predators could be about. For the first 4 weeks we had our girls they where kept in the pen and that way they knew their surroundings and knew where 'home' was. When we did eventually let them free range they put themselves to bed at around 9.45 - 10.00pm but now it's getting slightly earlier - last night it was 9.30pm. The only problem I have is getting them to go onto the perch - mine aren't in an eglu but a converted play shed - 3 of them do sit on the perch but the other 3 don't. I know they all can get on the perch they just can't be bothered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robskyd Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 We were told to keep them in the eglu for 24 hours and then in the run for a week. Which we did; Ruby goes to bed first at 9:00, followed by Doris at quarter past. Maddie stays up to make sure everything is ok and then trots off at about twenty past. We leave them for 10 minutes to settle down and then close the door at around half past, depending if there are adverts on or not !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeymerKim Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Mine are all in by about 8.45pm. We kept them in the run for 3 days when we first got them before letting them out and they now all troop back in on their own. If I go out to check them a bit early, they all come hurtling back down the ladder to see what I have for them, but I just hide for 5 mins and they all go back up again. If I want to get them in early (because I'm going out), I usually chuck a handful of corn into their run and they zoom in to get it. I feel a bit mean when I shut the run door behind them, but they don't hold it against me! When I peep at them in the nest box (all four sleep in their), they are definately a pyramid - 3 on the bottom and one perched on top. They make lovely sleepy noises and I always say goodnight!! Have a good weekend KeymerKim x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxanne Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I received my cube and four hens yesterday too and also wondered when they would go to bed! I evntually went back out (again) at 9.15pm (as once it is dark in our garden, it's very dark) and two ladies were already in the cube. I then stood by the top of the ladder and spoke to them, trying to coerce them in, which worked. Tonight we are out so they will have to go in themselves and I will shut the door by torchlight!! No eggs yet, but yesterday was a bit of a culture shock for them. The Gingernuts are about 20 weeks and almost there, but the Pepperpots are only about 16 weeks. They are having to stay inthe cube run at the moment because my 2 dogs (german shepherd and retired greyhound) need to get used to them, and vice versa, before I let them out. All rather sureal but very eggciting at the same time (sorry)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 Thankyou for all the help. i must be doing somthing wrong, everyone elses chickens seem to go to bed by them selves So what do you suggest we do tonight? Do we wait till its dark about 10? sorry for all the questions xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I would, ours go in then out then in then out again and on and on..... and if I go out too early to shut them in they come out again to say good night! When I say out then in I mean I put ours into the run about 7.30ish as we back on to fields and I worry about foxes, I don't shut them into the house until I see no chickens in the run for about 1/2 an hour. We either have super chickens or else they're just very fond of their creature comforts as they found their way there from day 1 - I was very impressed! Chill with the chickens, it's a worrying time the first few days but they really are fairly self sufficient in many ways. All they need is fresh water (LOTS of it) bedding and food. Lots of food. Of all types. Stolen food from humans is actually the best food of all. Specially if you can make small boys cry as you get it! Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 We put ours in the eglu for a couple of hours when we first got them then kept them in the run for 5 days and they went to bed on their own from the 1st night and put themselves to bed by 9 each night whether it's light or not so we shut the door soon after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 HOW DO YOU DO IT!!!!!!! Why wont our go in like evry normal chicken????????? i'll give you an update later (dont be suprised if its a cry for help ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 Ok, a quick update Little Michief is on the ladder looking in, thats progress keep your fingers crossed!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 So long as they're in the run and the run door is closed, I wouldn't worry too much about them going in the eglu/cube - they will be safe, and will go to bed when they are ready. Mine are alwys in the run around 6pm, they go to bed in the eglu when they want to and then get up when they like. I let them out of the run at about 6.30am and they potter around the garden all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
