Acquired grown hens, first time chicken owner-help needed

[ReillyJ]

Have 4 hens that i've been caring for when neighbors moved and left them, they've been free ranging on my property and i've been providing food and water and treats for them, one will roost in the cedars on our property and the other 3 go "home" across the street and come back in the morning. Got our 10 x 10 wood dog house and run chicken worthy and somehow managed to get 3 of them in last night and they're still in there however it's clear they're not used to being penned up and don't like it. One slept in the nest box last night (don't know if the others were on the roost, didn't want to stress them) and i checked on them this morning and another is in the nest box and the other 2 are in the run. I suppose it's normal for them to be upset but since i know next to nothing about chickens, am wondering if they will settle down okay, being grown and not raised by me?

i plan on leaving them in there for a week or so and then hopefully letting them free range during the day and in the coop at night. How i will get the 4th in there i have no idea... i just want them to be healthy and happy. I don't know how i'm going to keep them from roosting in the nest box, though. Trying not to stress and just let things be, any advice?

 

[One Chick Two]

Yes, they should eventually settle down and be fine, and become used to their new home.

We have had even wild caged, unsocialized roosters over a year old integrate well, and even become friendly with careful handling, so it is possible to have your new birds become friendly, with calm persistence. It took our adults hens about 4 months to stop fighting being picked up. Now some even seem to like it.

Get the 4th at twilight/ night if you can figure out where it is roosting.

 

[ReillyJ]

Thanks for your reply!

LOOK!!

 

[One Chick Two]

Thanks for your reply!

LOOK!!

Wonderful!!! Good looking eggs!

Looks like those girls really liked your nestboxes and got them figured out right away. I think you may find that 4th chicken start hanging around. If you do, put some yummy treats out for her, and speak gently. Eventually you might be able to eventually grab her. Otherwise, look for her roosting area and get her when she is completely asleep.

 

[Mrs. K]

a fish net, the kind for scooping up fish off a line in a lake, can really extend your reach, and dropped over a chicken, is heavy enough, they can't get out of it, and calm down quickly when restrained...... and the eggs, well you are surely hooked now! Hens do get upset with a change, but generally settle down in a couple of weeks or less.

Mrs k

 

[ReillyJ]

I got her in! Yay! And she seems very happy now to be with her friends. I got them in last night (and her today) and already i have 2 eggs today and then a blue one this afternoon. HOPEFULLY in a couple weeks i'll be able to open the door and they can free range.

Just put a couple bucketfuls of dirt in part of the run so they can roll around in it.