TipperaryChickens
In the Brooder
- Jan 5, 2019
- 8
- 13
- 29
Hi all
Im new to keeping chickens. I collected 4 ready to lay hens at the weekend, I put them into the run at first (I read later it was probably best to put them in coop at the start to get used to new home).
They seemed to be fine all day, eating well, didnt pay any heed to our cats checking them out. That night they made no attempt to go up the ladder into the coop so I had to pick them up and put them in.
They havent come out since, most of them are huddled up in the 2 nest boxes most of the time. I put in food and water and they seem to be eating that. I put some treats around the door to coax them out but they didnt touch it.
Its now been 2 days, any help much appreciated.
Im new to keeping chickens. I collected 4 ready to lay hens at the weekend, I put them into the run at first (I read later it was probably best to put them in coop at the start to get used to new home).
They seemed to be fine all day, eating well, didnt pay any heed to our cats checking them out. That night they made no attempt to go up the ladder into the coop so I had to pick them up and put them in.
They havent come out since, most of them are huddled up in the 2 nest boxes most of the time. I put in food and water and they seem to be eating that. I put some treats around the door to coax them out but they didnt touch it.
Its now been 2 days, any help much appreciated.
Now, since I'm here... Your hens are a bit spooked by the new coop, new home, new everything. So they are going to need a day or three to feel comfortable enough to freely come and go, use the run, the coop for roosting, lay eggs, etc. I got a load of battery hens a few years ago and the poor things didn't leave the coop for nearly 10 days! If they are eating, drinking and behaving normally otherwise, I wouldn't worry. Just give them time and keep encouraging them to make full use of their space.
