Brand new flock. Couple transition questions

[406Jen]

I just got 3 girls, expecting them to begin laying in the next month or so. So excited!!

1) I have water in a shallow bowl for them, but I've yet to see them drink. I gave them a bit of watermelon rind and they're picking all the innards out. Pecking at some of their feed as well. I'm not sure how they were watered in their previous home - suggestions to make sure they drink?

2) How long before I let them wander around my yard? (1/2 acre)

3) They've yet to walk up the ramp to the coop. Their previous home had an attached run to a shed on the ground, so no walk-up. I will place them into the coop tonight, but it'll have to be through the clean out door as the access door is on the floor of the elevated coop. Is that ok? They'll eventually figure it out, right?

4) I have a roost in the run for them, but no one's hopped up on it yet. The one in the coop is about 12" off the floor. Do I need to place them on the roost in there as well?

Any other transition advice welcome! They seem comfy, wandering around clearing the space of the grass and alternately sitting on the ground looking for ants. It has been hella hot today in SW Montana (95 - ugh), but our humidity is low as usual. They're in the shade so cool enough.

 

[GitaBooks]

Congrats on the chickens!


1) Dip their beaks in the water and they should learn where it is. You could try using a red dish, so it is more noticeable to them.

2) Wait until they imprint on their coop, so I would suggest a couple weeks. You can teach them to return with treats (watermelon and bread are favorites)

3) Put them in at nights and they'll find the opening and figure out how to get in and out. Teach them that the coop is a good thing with treats. Be patient, they should learn eventually. Some chickens just like sleeping outside.

4) They should learn to use the roost if they want it. My chickens like to perch on flat things more than round things. They perch on boards and up around the edge of the coops cement walls. They should be fine sleeping on the floor if it has bedding on it.


I hear that there have been a lot of problems with chickens and the heat lately. The shade is good and water is good. You can try adding ice to their water and giving them cold watermelon to help them cool off as well.

Best of luck!

 

[406Jen]

Thank you for the advice!

They don't....really.....like me. I mean, I'm sure they're grateful for the watermelon, but they're far from tame. At bedtime - it was a keystone cops episode up in here. I mean - I went into the run, caught the Jersey Giant (Elizabeth). She didn't like it but she was put in the coop. The Star (Charlotte) wiggled out the door I'd stupidly left open and started running around the yard.

I yelled for my (naked....he'd just taken a bath! It's hot!) toddler to go inside and please ask Daddy to come outside. He proceeded to Dinosaur Yell at the girls. Helpful.

The 3rd (Buff Orpington - Diana) made a break for it as well. We managed to get them all back into the coop (they really wanted back in, really. They were pretty scared) but yeah - dipping beaks is not going to happen.

Sigh.

And I'm just now wondering if I'm feeding them the wrong stuff. I think I'm giving them layer feed. They need grower feed until they start laying, right? Oh man. I'm messing this up big time.

 

[GitaBooks]

Don't worry, its all a learning experience.

Chickens can be so stubborn and irritating sometimes. When they don't listen, I sometimes just want to yell at them. Not that is helps.

I would suggest keeping them on grower but supplying with them oyster shells, so that they get any calcium they need.

Hang in there, they'll learn to trust you eventually. Just sit near-by and talk to them. Offer them treats. Move slowly. They may not ever let you touch them, but they should learn that you mean awesome treats and be willing to approach you. I raised mine from babies and even they don't like me to reach for them or touch them.

As for the water dish, try putting something like a blue berry in there for them to peck at. Then they'll notice the water.