Finally got my young birds outside

[mojavemike1]

I cut out the pop door and opened up for the pullets to go out into the world...2 days later not one ventured out into their new chicky playground.
I checked the forums on BYC and read that it is not unusual for this to happen, and that by putting the food outside and putting the birds outside can be successful, which is what I did.
They stood around in a bunch (7 of them) for 10 mins before they went to explore...I had put down some scratch to attract them.
I took them 45 mins to check the place out, and then they went to the feed bin, filled their crops, and filed back into the coop...the whole process took exactly 1 hour, and they haven't ventured out again. I hope they come out in the evening before the sun goes down at 7.45pm.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Hi Mike, belated welcome to BYC. I dont see too much wrong here but something you might want to try. Move the ladder they need to come out with up til it is even with the pop door. . See the step down? might want one a little wider and longer so there is not so much of a drop. I see no green anywhere !! Is that normal for where you are ? Is that your dog and does it scare the chickens ? I would also throw them a head of cabbage or something green for a treat on the outside. I do believe the ramp is the problem though. let us know !!!!

 

[mojavemike1]

Hi Mike, belated welcome to BYC. I dont see too much wrong here but something you might want to try. Move the ladder they need to come out with up til it is even with the pop door. . See the step down? might want one a little wider and longer so there is not so much of a drop. I see no green anywhere !! Is that normal for where you are ? Is that your dog and does it scare the chickens ? I would also throw them a head of cabbage or something green for a treat on the outside. I do believe the ramp is the problem though. let us know !!!!

I can probably get it closer to the top by moving the screws, or I can add a piece of 2x4 to make it higher and wider.
The pullets didn't come out 'till 7.30pm just as it was starting to go dusk (only 5 of the 7). and just pecked around and didn't really eat much...they are very skittish with all the strange sounds and even doves flying over makes them dart.
I put some meal worms down for them but they didn't seem interested, just pecked at a few.
My dog is only allowed near them with my supervision...she is also having to learn. I guess everything is so new to them, a big learning curve over the next few weeks.
There is no greenery around here for 1000 miles (edge of the Mojave desert), unless it's someone's back yard, and even then not plentiful, and now with the water shortage!!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Mojave !! wow, how hot does it get in a normal summer ? maybe its just too hot for them to want to be out . LOL

 

[ChickenMammX4]

Mojave !!  wow, how hot does it get in a normal summer ?  maybe its just too hot for them to want to be out . LOL  

When Hubs was active duty military we lived in the CA High Desert (Apple Valley), it was 113F the day we moved into our new house. The AC hadn't been hooked-up yet. It's a dry heat and not as uncomfortable as our humid heat here in the midwest, but still HOT!!

To the OP - When we finally opened the pop door for the chicks I thought they'd coming running down the ramp to their new run but that didn't happen :/ It took them several days to venture out. Chickens are pretty cautious by nature and shy away from new things.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

thats too hot for me !!!!