jameslcfc Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Hi guys, i picked up our 4 silkies and 1 frizzle polish yesterday. I had to put them to bed yesterday and again this evening. I have just checked on them and they are all cuddled together on the cleaning tray and not on there perches. How can i get them to roost on there perches? Shall i remove the tray that sits below the perches? I will attach a photo of there home if i can work out how. Im just worried about trying to catch them all the time and stressing them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 How old are they. They mat not have perched before. It will just take them a while to learn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameslcfc Posted August 17, 2014 Author Share Posted August 17, 2014 Im not 100% on ages but i think 3 silkies are around 16 weeks and the other 2, 14 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 They're quite young then, so probably not used to roosting bars. Not sure you can train them to roost, I think it's just something they do instinctively. So I'd just give them some time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosalie Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Mine are 16 weeks and still don't go on the bars. They huddle in the corner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameslcfc Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Ive done some more digging and a couple of mine are only 12 weeks and the other 3 around 14 weeks. Ive got to change the layer pellets as they dont seem to be eating much and was told they may struggle swallowing them. 1 actually went up to the house last night and no one followed so she came back down and snuggled up in a corner with the others. Im going to put a couple more steps on the ramp and see if it makes it easier for them as they fly out in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Aren't they a bit young to be on layer pellets? I only put mine on layer pellets at 20 weeks. They should be on grower feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Yes Cat Tails is correct. They need to be on Growers Pellets at the moment. They may also be a bit young to perch too. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I had the same thing with my Pekins. I was lead to believe they were 16 weeks old. When I got them though and started to compare them to pictures of others I realised there was no way they were that old and when I asked the breeder a direct question she told me that in fact they were only 10 weeks! Same as you I had had them on layers for a few days but quickly rushed out and got them some growers pellets which at first I had to make into a porridge with warm water to get them to eat. No harm done though, they're now 21 weeks and on layers pellets having been wormed with them a fortnight ago. I reckon their age totally explains why they don't want to perch - give them a few weeks yet before you try to persuade them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameslcfc Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 I went out and bought some crumb for them and they loved it and are really eating well now. They have been drinking well also. One of them actually took themselves to bed last night as well. They seem to be settling now and love there supper of corn . How much should i be giving them as a treat. Ive been giving roughly a egg cup each? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 I went out and bought some crumb for them and they loved it and are really eating well now. They have been drinking well also. One of them actually took themselves to bed last night as well. They seem to be settling now and love there supper of corn . How much should i be giving them as a treat. Ive been giving roughly a egg cup each? Is that chick crumb? They need to be on growers now. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameslcfc Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 I believe it is chick crumb. What age do they come of that then as someone told me to put them on it as they were to young for layer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 With 12 to 14 weeks, they should be on grower pellets/mix. I hope it wasn't the store you bought the chicken crumb from, that told you it was fine. Else I would go back and try and return the food. What were your hens eating at the place you got them from? Didn't the people there advice you on food? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Chick crumb is for the first six to eight weeks, then they move onto growers and then when they start to lay to layers. I think layers has too much calcium for younger chooks and can lead to deformities. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameslcfc Posted August 24, 2014 Author Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) I have got some grower pellets now and they are eating them fine. They are all taking themselves to bed now so thats good and i let them out the run yesterday for the first time. They were very weary and keep running into the run but are getting used to it. They were sat by the run door when i went to let them out and ran straight out. They dont stay out long before they take themselves in the run Edited September 21, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I loved it when I let my chooks out of the run for the first time. They only ran in circles around the coop and ran back in as soon as a bird flew over or a bee buzzed at them. Seems like a long time ago now, with the ladies digging up the whole garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameslcfc Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 Hi guys, its 4 weeks in with my silkies and they still are not perching. Im not too bothered but they are sleeping in the nest boxes. Is this going to be an issue when they start laying? I blocked the boxes off last night and tried placing them on the perches but they kept jumping off and curling up by the door. Its only a small cocoon coop and I have raised the perches so they are 5 inch off the tray and tried putting a shelf in but they just lay in front of it by the door. I have now reopened the nest boxes. Any ideas??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 I'm a bit soppy. I would just leave them to it, just make sure you poo pick every day. It won't affect their laying, but you could end up with poo on your eggs. Which you can of course clean off, but best avoided if possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameslcfc Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 am cleaning daily anyway the main concern was the eggs breaking if they are all piled on top of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameslcfc Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 It looks lovely They will lay sometime during the day. Even if you don't manage to get to them before bedtime they shouldn't squash them. Unless for some reason they're thin shelled. You can feel underneath them anyway. I'm always doing this as I have several broody chickens, who pinch everyone else's eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Wow! With such a comfortable coop like that, I wouldn't bother roosting either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Would love to see some pictures of your girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 So the chicken is behind the duster? She looks awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameslcfc Posted October 18, 2014 Author Share Posted October 18, 2014 Frazzle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
