Chicken Elopement

[AlexisWriter]

With the loss of my previous flock of three barred rocks, I decided I didn't want to brood chicks in the house again. I really didn't have the room and the dogs were too curious. So I got three started pullets (really expensive!)--two barred rocks and a RIR--from a hatchery with a very old and good reputation. They're healthy (15-22 weeks) and should begin laying anytime now. BUT (of course, there's always a but), I read on their packing slip that they were free-ranged. Super! I'm all for that. However, I figured it meant they free-ranged during the day and were brought in at night.

These birds are just wild! We had to cover their 12x12 pen with plant netting and close them into their coop at night. One, though, the headstrong alpha girl who was the first to poke her head out of the express mail box they came in, insists on creating and wiggling through a gap the netting before we can close her in, and roosting in a backyard tree about 30 feet up (!!). It's a big tree that partially extends over a neighbor's yard. They are not socialized at all, and I'm getting the feeling that while they were well-cared for, they were set free to roam "as nature intended," to quote Homer Simpson. They're pretty nervous and excitable, and I need to thwart that one tree dweller. She's stubborn and determined, and so am I, but I'm not sure how to improve matters.

Any suggestions?

 

[aart]

Keep them locked in the coop 24/7 for a week....and they should always be locked in at night to keep them safe from predators. They are in a new environment and are nervous and unsure, keeping them cooped for week allows them to settle in and get used to their new life.

Make your run attached to the coop, tight and covered with wire.

 

[PSJ]

I agree about keeping them locked up for a while. Also, clip their wings to keep that one from flying into said tree.

 

[AlexisWriter]

We had another couple of escapes before we located and fixed the hole in our security system. Last night after a lot of complaining and a few attempts, crabby Alpha finally gave up and went inside to roost with the other two girls. And I did clip her wings. There was apparently some jockeying for position on the roosting bar, but they must have gotten it worked out. Alpha is extremely assertive. Aunt Barbara and Roadie (yes, I know, not very original so I changed the spelling

) seem to be more compliant/resigned. I feel bad for Roadie; she's really on the bottom of the pecking order, but I suppose one of them is bound to be.

None of them is socialized at all, so we're not having the fun interactions we had with our first flock. I probably won't get started pullets again. I thought I was saving myself work--and I was--but they're pretty wild. So yeah, they'll be on lock down for quite a while.

Thanks for the advice!

Lexie

 

[HerbanChicks]

Clipped wings will certainly help out in this situation. Anytime I get new girls, they stay in the coop for a few days to get used to it and then I begin letting them out in the run and eventually allowed to free range. It's going to take a bit for older birds to adjust to all the new surroundings and you as well, give them time and just keep trying to socialize with them and they should come around.