AndyRoo Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 Hello Anyone have any tips on bringing hens home for the first time? Do I shut them in the Eglu for an hour and then liberate them to the garden to get their surroundings? Or should I just plonk them straight into the run and let them figure things out themselves? Thanks, Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 If they have an enclosed run attached to their Eglu (which I think you do), I'd just put them in the Eglu, but leave the door to the run open so they can explore if they want. You may have to put them into the Eglu at night for a few nights if they decide to roost elsewhere in the run. I wouldn't let them out of the run for a good few days, until you think the run is where they consider home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 If they have an enclosed run attached to their Eglu (which I think you do), I'd just put them in the Eglu, but leave the door to the run open so they can explore if they want. You may have to put them into the Eglu at night for a few nights if they decide to roost elsewhere in the run. I wouldn't let them out of the run for a good few days, until you think the run is where they consider home. What Mullet said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted October 21, 2016 Author Share Posted October 21, 2016 They're not going to be free ranging at all, although they may get bough an extension at a later date once the garden is finally redone. Their current 5m extension will definitely be increased to a 6m one in spring, but again, garden depending! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 I put them in the coop with the door closed for an hour just to settle after the journey stops them bolting out of the coop in a panic and scaring themselves then out the pop hole/door and leave them to it for a while just checking them now and then it's best to let them find the way out themselves but after 3 or 4 hours in hot weather I have jollied them out. you might have to put them to bed a few nights but try not to do it to early otherwise they get into the habit of needing to be put to bed. Don't be surprised that about a month 6 weeks after you think they've settled into going to bed by themselves every night that they suddenly forget and need to be put to bed for a few nights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Ditto everyone else - if they are in secure run I wouldnt stress re putting them to bed. One of my newbies slept on top of branch - I am not sure what she does now but they wont freeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 BTW Andy will you give them names or not? Most do but not all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted October 22, 2016 Author Share Posted October 22, 2016 BTW Andy will you give them names or not? Most do but not all. Honestly not sure. If we do, it is likely to be whimsical and sardonic like Kiev, Korma, Nuggets etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 After the first night Andy, you really don't need to bother shutting them in the coop, I've never had the coop door shut, & mine have all figured out going to bed & getting up without any assistance from me. Even with snow on the ground they all want to half hang out the door at night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted October 22, 2016 Author Share Posted October 22, 2016 I may just 'throw' them all in the coop and close it up with the door open. I can let them figure it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Neighbours will think you have some sort of takeaway with those names. what part of Bristol are you in. Son was in Clifton then Redland and now just nearer uni. It's a lovely place. Sadly only seem to see shops and restaurants as fleeting visits but would like to see Christmas markets etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 Neighbours will think you have some sort of takeaway with those names. what part of Bristol are you in. Son was in Clifton then Redland and now just nearer uni. It's a lovely place. Sadly only seem to see shops and restaurants as fleeting visits but would like to see Christmas markets etc. We live in Brislington, which is south of the city river. Clifton is known as being the posh bit. We thought about buying up there, but then we'd have to have a much smaller place and a garden that wouldn't even be half the size of the current one, so we compromised. I've actually not done much of the touristy stuff myself - despite having lived here on and off for the last 30 years! There are some very interesting little places to go to in terms of shopping, I like the fact that there's a lot of independent businesses in Bristol, I'd much rather support those than the high street chains! Personally I don't think the Christmas market in Bristol is that great, it's too small (unless something changes), the one in Bath is better. Fortunately it's only a 15 minute train hop to Bath from there. If you visit in summer, there are some nice places a half hour drive away buy the coast, although don't bother with Weston Super Mare - it's really not that great! Some of the little villages south of the city are nice too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula123 Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 My step daughter lives in Clifton and loves it. She always gives us the heads up where to go in Bristol when we go up, mind you she is the 'what's on' editor at the Bristol Post so should know where to go and what to do. We are going up next weekend to take her and her brother out for lunch and are leaving it to her to find somewhere to eat, she usually comes up trumps, if we left it to her brother who knows where we would end up. I may try the Bath Christmas market this year with her, we always have a day Christmas shopping with lunch and prosecco just the two of us which is lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 There's a really nice place up in Clifton called The Black Boy Inn which does some really nice food. And the Souk Kitchen is really good too for brunch. They both get busy fast, though, so go along early! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 We have always just opened up the pet carrier and let them go out into the run in their own time. As others have said they will need to be shown where to sleep but once they are familiar with their house and run some may prefer to roost in the run. If they all suddenly stop sleeping in the house check for red mite which will stop them and can weaken them over time. We don't shut our coop doors at night unless it is sub zero, hens would rather be cold than hot. Good luck with them, chicken keeping is addictive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 On my courses, I always suggest popping them in the coop, with the door closed fr a while so tha they can calm down in the dark. Then let them out into the run after about an hour. If they will be free ranging, keep them in the run for a week to build up that homing instinct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
