Getting my chooks into chook house!

[Blueeyedcollies]

Okay so I'm a newbie to owning chickens.

So I got a rooster (gold laced Wyandotte), a silver laced Wyandotte hen and two aracuna hens.

I left them in the hen house for 24 hours and then let out. Ive tried herding them back in but they have a large area of bush they can run into or go behind the water tanks.

There is the tail end of a cyclone coming Tuesday and I want them to be properly sheltered not to mention I don't really want them to end up living in the bush and where will they lay their eggs?

I see one has seemed to of made a nest in the chook house (not the nesting box but at least the house) with the hay but no egg and probably did that before they went out on their great adventure. They are in a large fenced in area...

 

[Blueeyedcollies]

Okay I just threw a bread trail and got them right outside the chook house. I managed to get three in and the fourth soon followed. So I'm feeling a bit better now!

I have two nesting boxes which were actually beds for my bunnies but they only ever used it once during a major storm. They go up a ramp, Ive made thw holes bigger, and then it has an opening roof. Ive left one top completely open tonight as wondering if they will prefer that.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Unless the coop space is so limited that they can't stay in there, you should lock them up in the coop for a few days so they acclimate to the coop being home.

 

[Blueeyedcollies]

Okay thanks.
There's plenty of room for them. I feel mean but really it's a few days right? x.x so maybe they should stay there til after the cyclone that may or may not hit here on Tuesday. I had it all planned to monitor them over the weekend before I return to work. Oh well

I can put the fire guard across the doorway so at least they can get some fresh air and light during the day.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think 3 or 4 days should do it (plus it'll keep them out of storm's way). Do leave ventilation open for them... you don't want them to get out, but they still need fresh air.

 

[Blueeyedcollies]

There wings are clipped on one side and I put the fire guard there yesterday as was too hot I didn't want them to overheat (its never felt too hot inside but is all tin so don't want to risk) so they should be alright

 

[cavemanrich]

By the words you use (Chooks) I am assuming you are somewhere in Australia. You just joined today and do not have your location in your profile. Cyclones are common in the summer (southern hemisphere)
I suggest you try to get an enclosed attached run put up next to your coop. This way the chickens do not venture far and and at bed time, just naturally go into coop. In time they will go into coop even after free ranging. My chickens when they free range, at bed time head their way to coop.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,and

 

[Blueeyedcollies]

Close but I am a kiwi! Thank you for the advice I can't see myself managing to get an enclosed run to be honest..I have a huge dog kennel run the dogs don't use that would be ideal but it weighs a ton and wouldn't fit through the gate.