betty Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 My cube and four new girls arrived today. They seem to have settled in well but getting them to bed has been a bit tricky. Tried with a torch and managed to get one inside but she promptly sat down in the doorway leaving the others stranded on the ladder; all on the same rung. After much flapping (and encouragement) there was still no progress. Thankfully it was dark by now as I ended up having to get in the run on my hands and knees to give them a bit of a push. I am hardly what you would term petite (nor particularly bendy) and will probably have to do it again just to prove to OH that I did it. Now they know where to go will they find their own way to bed? If not, how did all you more experienced cube owners manage. Any tips would be most welcome. kind regards Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Oh Liz what a night! I first started out chicken keeping with an eglu so it was a little easier to gently shoo them into bed with a broom Perhaps you could take the back off the cube, stretch your arm toward the door and trick them to bed with some treats. It may be a 2 person job as when they are in the cube you will need to shut the back and the door promptly. Good luck tomorrow - please report on your progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Gosh I don't know how to help but I wanted to say welcome to the world of cubes! Hopefully it'll be easier tomorrow. Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 This happened to me too - except I had two chooks completely blocking the door, 5 others wondering what to do and a Pepperpot and Gingernut that were trying to fly in over the top of the two blocking the doorway! The second night was slightly better although I had to intervene again - my cube is in a 7ft high run and the flying chooks were landing on top of the cube then looking like they were going to fly over the top (the shining a torch through the egg port didn't work ) The third night I left them to it and they sorted themselves out - it took them about 40mins though In short I think they just take a few days to sort their order out, we noticed on the third night that the chook that went in first was very promptly chucked out by the next two that had been first in on the previous nights! Good Luck Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 they will elarn very quickly by the weekend I bet you won;t have to do anythng to encourage them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Welcome to the world of Cubes - everyone's right your chooks will get the hang of it probably by tomorrow. Mine have just adjusted to the new glug - I was pannicking at first because I hadnt seen them drink so I put the old glug back along side the new one - but now they all happily drink from the new one and ignore the old one completely - mainly because it got very low and full of mucky water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 I had to crawl in and put all mine in the first night, as they were roosting very unhappily underneath it. The next night they took themselves to bed easily. Remember that they have never seen anything like it before, and are wise to be cautious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty Posted October 18, 2007 Author Share Posted October 18, 2007 Thanks everyone for the encouraging replies. I am very pleased to report that they put themselves to bed tonight. Think I'll pour myself a 'hazardous' drink to celebrate. Liz (+ Martha, Rose, Cybil and Prudence) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Think I'll pour myself a 'hazardous' drink to celebrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Thanks everyone for the encouraging replies. I am very pleased to report that they put themselves to bed tonight. Think I'll pour myself a 'hazardous' drink to celebrate. Liz (+ Martha, Rose, Cybil and Prudence) Make it a double! I'm glad your girls have sorted themselves out. It's getting too chilly of a night to have to be on your hands and knees in the gloaming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
