Coopingup issues

[rebcart1905]

Question and slight issue trying to fix.....it seems my flock is backwards...they the last few days/nights have been staying in the coop during the day, or coming up and hanging by the barn more during the day....and when night falls they have their little spot down at the pond and refuse to come up.... How can I try to change their mind set and get them back on the right and safest type of schedule? My thoughts have been to keep them in all day tomorrow and all night, and let them out during the day again...but Im just not sure if that is going to cut it and fix their mind set....I just do not want to be collecting eggs down at the pond once they start laying!

 

[Amiga]

I am more concerned about the predators at the pond. But egg collection would be a challenge, too.

Might take more than one day, but yes, keeping them where you want them helps train them.

What is the feeding schedule? Do they only get fed in the coop?

 

[rebcart1905]

I know I am always freaking out but knock on wood so far so good....they seem content down there and very alert, having 6 horses in the pasture to kick out any thing else might be helping too...bleh I was worried I would need to do it for a longer period, just sucks its going to be so nice all week!

 

[Amiga]

Ain't that the way, though? Ducks!

 

[rebcart1905]

Oh and YES they only get fed in the barn, I have a big "trough" of feed mixed up for them usually at all times up in their little stall in the barn, they can come and go as they please during the day, I think they usually come up at dawn and eat it all up before I get down there, and are back down at the pond by the time I head down to do horse chores, but will come back up to eat the leftovers, back to the pond then by noon they are up for a while sleeping in the barn....

Well ill be watching the forecast for some crappy days this month (even though that seems to be their favorite) and make sure we keep them in....what type of watering system you like best for in their coop/stall? I got a large 5gallon gravity waterer....but im worried one reason they dont like it in there is because they just DONT LIKE IT....its large 8x12stall, shavings/hay tons of food, a little nesting covered box area, the gravity waterer....but maybe they need an actual pool?

 

[Amiga]

I just use a two gallon stew pot in the bottom of a large plastic dog crate, with sawdust pellets to absorb the splash. In the winter, the runners wash up in the stew pot as well as drink from it.