HarrisonFamily Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 (edited) Hi - we rescued 3 girls at the weekend, they were from a free range farm so in good condition and we have named them "H", "E" and "N" We have 2 existing hens (Chi and Ken ) who happily free range and will return to the WIR as soon as call them and shake the corn . I am assuming the 3 new ones are used to free ranging all day so not sure when I should let them out or how to get them back in again easily. Any advice would be much appreciated Thank you Edited May 16, 2019 by HarrisonFamily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 Perhaps keep them all shut in for a few days so they can learn that you calling them or rattling a corn pan or however you attract their attention will mean food, and so that they will get used to where to go to bed etc. Then when they’ve learnt those things I’d let them out for a bit just before bed time, then you can call them into their run for some corn when they’d be going that way anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 17, 2019 Share Posted May 17, 2019 I agree; I always keep any newbies isolated for the first couple of weeks, observe their health, treat for worms and lice and use this time to train them to come when I whistle. This is invaluable for getting them in the run in a hurry, and they will follow the same call as the existing birds when I integrate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 Thank you - my other 2 do come quickly but I was worried that the others are used to free ranging all day they may never want to go back - I will try next week and see what happens !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 18, 2019 Share Posted May 18, 2019 The trick is to keep them confined to the run for at least a week to build up their homing instinct. This coincides nicely with their quarantine, so they will know that they need to go in before it gets dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted May 19, 2019 Author Share Posted May 19, 2019 Unfortunately, I cannot let them free range all day otherwise my dog would have to be in all the time - my dog would love a chicken or two for lunch !!! So I will keep them in then let them out last an hour before bed and hope they head home Thanks for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 12 hours ago, HarrisonFamily said: Unfortunately, I cannot let them free range all day otherwise my dog would have to be in all the time - my dog would love a chicken or two for lunch !!! So I will keep them in then let them out last an hour before bed and hope they head home Thanks for the help I think I was suggesting that they need to be kept in the run and quarantined for at least a week - this will give you the opportunity to train them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted May 21, 2019 Author Share Posted May 21, 2019 Thank you - I have kept them in 10 days in the run - and they are looking for treats when I come in - so I will let them out soon - with the dog safely out the way !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 I let them out - they roamed around for 30 minutes - spot of sunbathing and then returned to the WIR on their own where I gave them some meal worms - so thank you - Photo of H & N sunbathing... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmKing Posted May 29, 2019 Share Posted May 29, 2019 What I'll do is to shut them in the pen for a week and then release them. That way they'll know where home is. And of course, quaratine them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
