day 1 with chickens

[chachie]

Hi Everyone,

So I finally got my 4 hens yesterday. I put them in the tractor and naturally they seemed nervous due to the new environment but in about 1/2 hour they were picking grass, drinking water and checking our the ramp to the coop. I left them alone and returned at night to close up the coop. I found that the 4 were roosting together at the top of the ramp at the door but didn't want to go in (i even put their food in the coop for now). I'm assuming this is a normal part of the adjustment phase? I just picked them up and put them in the coop.

Now this morning is the opposite, they don't want to go out. They did eat some food so I took the dish and put it outside. I returned later to find 2 sitting in a nest box with the other two close by. Should I discourage sitting in the nest box?

How long does it take for chickens to feel comfortable?

side note - here's my daughter saying goodnight to the chickens last night

 

[Chickens R Us]

I would take the nest boxes out or cover them until they are starting to lay then put golf ball in them to encourage laying. It may take a few times of putting them in their coop at night for them to get the hang of things.

 

[chachie]

Thanks for the reply. I guess they were just getting use to the tractor because they figured out by the next night they were to go there for the night, so that's good. They still lay in the nest box but they are ready to lay (apparently they were laying before I picked them up and they are about 7 months now). I guess I should block off the boxes during the night? It's just been so windy and cold plus i would like to reduce as much stress as possible while they adjust. Thoughts?

 

[windzbreezy]

Just relax, these things take time. I had to take down all the perches I put up in the run cuz they would not go in the coop at night. Now I have a ton of perches in the run & all my girls go to bed at night.