frustrated

[berryncherry]

New to raising chicks...my kids got them for me for mother's day (at my encouragement I might add).
You see our Rottweiler had just passed away the day after we returned from our vacation. She was 8 yrs old...she was our 5th rottie in our 30 years together. So I decided with my health problems it was time for something different.
I should have done a lot more research - yes. But here we are.
I was trying to go as inexpensive as possible cuz of my husband's frustration with the whole thing. So I got one of those "rinky dink" pre-fab coops off Amazon. NO idea they sell stuff that isn't properly designed for what they are selling it for (NO ventilation whatsoever). I paid our son-in-law to assemble it for me so as not to bother my husband with it. Then soon realize after just a few days that they need more run space for sure...and I figured surely I could do that. I did...and husband helped attach it to the rinky dink coop structure. I'm still working in ventilation but drilled lots of holes in the meantime.
The problem I've been having is getting the chicks to go into the coop at night. They are only 5 wks old - and with my limitations I've found I have to shut up the run couple hours before bedtime so that I don't have to wrestle getting into said rinky dink run to grab each of them. I've tried treats, food, I've been working with them since day 1...but I still have to get em individually against their will.
We've been managing fairly well til last night when major thunderstorm poured down on us! I quickly tried to go get them but soon remembered I had just gotten my hair done the day before (unable to do my own hair so it gets done once a week). And they weren't budging from the one itsy bitsy area they thought they were safe in - up against the house near the propane gas tank right beside the area underneath the deck. I thought maybe I can coax them under the deck with me so they don't get so wet.
See since being on BYC I have read and tried to learn a lot the past few weeks since finding this app! So I thought the wasted space underneath the deck would make for a good open area (run) and I could move the coop/ run over to it and attach it so that I could add more ventilation (which is next to impossible with it up against the house where it is currently).
So thinking the deck would be great spot for us as the rain got even harder and turned sideways, I kneeled down under there calling them, twisted my wrist and ended up sitting under there the next 30 mins as it poured...and no they never budged to join me.
BUT I did learn that the deck is definitely NOT gonna work as it is right now for them cause I was beyond soaked...mostly from the bottom side where the rain was draining from the house and cracks in decking because our deck isn't covered...

I know most of yall are thinkin this woman is dumber than a box of rocks.
It's the common sense type things that frustrate me soooooo much! Ever since my health went downhill, my brain did too!

And right before the monsoon rain hit, I noticed a really long limb near the bottom of our yard. I was on the deck and thought- I don't remember seeing a limb down there earlier...then it moved! Had to be every bit of 5-6 feet long! We have only ever seen 6 inch snakes around here before...with the exception of 1 skin that was shed in our azaleas few years ago. I was spellbound watching this long thing as a little northeastern bluebird stood just a few inches from it, eyeballing it, toying with it. And the snake just slithered on by.
So now I have that to try and figure out...as I'm sure he will be back.

I really enjoy watching the Lil chicks...they are mesmerizing and peaceful. But I hate they don't come to me, won't eat the treats, and then all the other accommodations mentioned above that they need to survive are sooooo overwhelming and i'm just frustrated.
Thanks for reading this if you hung in there with me til now! And a BIG thanks to all of you that keep answering my idiotic questions over n over.

Maybe you could try making a sound or "call" while feeding your chickens. For me, it has helped my chickens to learn to come to a specific call and that there will be food and treats as long as they come. Good luck with your chicks!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Thank u @Allsfairinloveandbugs!

I have on the gallery...but I will do that in the other forum as well (atleast I don't think I did yet).

IMG_20210606_081607_782.jpg

• Gammas Bearded Babies
• Jun 8, 2021

Newly added diy run extension

This is with the 8sqft addition the the run.
Originally the coop/run was
"OVERALL DIMENSIONS 65.2”(L) x 26.4”(W) x 47.6”(H) Provide LARGER 14.7ft² ground activity space for your pets"

A good clue for prefab is that unless you know exactly what you're doing (certain pairs/trios/quartets can do amazing in prefab but it depends on sexes, breed and temperments), anything measured in inches is too small for standards and usually most bantams too

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Just wanted to thank yall again for your encouragements!!!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ultra-proud-chick-momma-moment-here.1475679/