What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[lynne237]

Hi,

 

I am new to keeping chickens. I have two 4 mth old Blacktails who are happy and healthily, eating well but will not climb the ladder to roost in the Go Up house. They are roosting huddled together on the grass underneath the house.

I have placed corn on the ladder steps and door to encourage them but so far this has not worked. I have started catching them and putting them into their house at the back door - I can't reach the front door because of the run.

In the morning they climb down the ladder but will not go out it. Any ideas of what I should try next?

 

Thanks

 

Lynne237

[Cat tails]

Hi and welcome!

 

In the topic, eglu's, cubes and runs there are number of topics on this. http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=96921

My own chickens found the ladder too slippery. This is easily solved by putting something around the steps. I used hemp rope. Others have used carpets, anti slip carpet stuf etc.

A bit of DIY and your chickens should be shooting up that ladder in no time!

[lynne237]

Thanks for that - I'll give it a try and hopefully Lettie and Lottie will give the ladder another try!

[Purplemaniacs]

Is it that they don't like the ladder or that they don't know where to go?

 

When you have done your DIY on the steps it might be worth putting a light in the Go as it gets dark to encourage them into it.

 

Chrissie

[lynne237]

Hi all,

I've secured carpet to the steps with cable ties but they still won't go up. They seem to completely ignore the steps except when they come down in the morning. On their first day they did venture on to the steps once but came straight down and haven't gone up since. Tomorrow I'm going to put corn on the steps to see if this will encourage the girls!

I will try a light in there as suggested.

Lynne

[lynne237]

Good news!

 

The girls have finally gone up the stairs. It happened when I was cutting the lawn with the mower - Lettie ran up first -Lettie is always first and then Lottie followed. I guess they were frightened of the noise. Anyway tonight they went straight to bed - pottered up, no problems. They must like the carpet - it is such a relief because I was so worried.

Thanks for your advice I really appreciate it.

Enjoy the weekend!

 

Lynne

[Purplemaniacs]

That is good news, well done girls

 

Chrissie