First let me give you some background information. I've got two hens that are about a little over a year old. Last summer we also got a little half grown rooster. Hubby fiixed a place in the barn for them which also included a yard for them. A short while later, we got two full grown hens and everything seemed fine. I worried about them a lot when we first put them in the barn (the first hens and the rooster had stayed in the backyard until they were moved there), but we got through the winter fine and although I hope that their area was predator proof. I was wrong.
Several months ago, one of the newer hens disappeared and we found feathers outside the pen. She had gotten out before, so I hoped that is what happened again, and nothing got in and got her. A month or so after that, I found our rooster dead in the pen, and the next day the other newer hen. I wasn't about to let that happen to my two babies that I've had for so long, so to the backyard they came. They don't have a place to roost, but when they were in the backyard before, they roosted in the doghouse, and still will (either in it or on top of it).
The week after Easter, we got 3 3 week old babies. I kept them inside in a large box. They stay out now during the day (in the backyard), but still come in at night.
Here's where the problem comes in. My older two babies stayed inside at night when they were babies too. It's funny how it's been a year, but they haven't forgotten. They still want in the house! About a week ago, it was raining at night and I felt sorry for one, because she wouldn't go in the doghouse with her sister and stay dry. So, I let her in the house and put her in the box with the babies. This weekend, we had lots of rain, so I brought all of them in and put them in the box.
So now I've got some spoiled hens and I don't know how to despoil them! Everytime the doors open, they come running to get in the house. They also stand at the french doors to the patio, and peck on the windows begging to be let in. I can deal with it, but I'm afraid hubby is going to get really annoyed with them and put them all (babies too) in the barn. I just can't bear the thought of anything happening to them! (For the record, hubby set a live trap in the chicken pen and caught a large raccoon, but I'm afraid there are others.)
So what can I do to despoil my girls????? Or is it too late???? I'm sooooooo frustrated!!!!
(One's pecking on the door right now!)
I'm losing my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Several months ago, one of the newer hens disappeared and we found feathers outside the pen. She had gotten out before, so I hoped that is what happened again, and nothing got in and got her. A month or so after that, I found our rooster dead in the pen, and the next day the other newer hen. I wasn't about to let that happen to my two babies that I've had for so long, so to the backyard they came. They don't have a place to roost, but when they were in the backyard before, they roosted in the doghouse, and still will (either in it or on top of it).
The week after Easter, we got 3 3 week old babies. I kept them inside in a large box. They stay out now during the day (in the backyard), but still come in at night.
Here's where the problem comes in. My older two babies stayed inside at night when they were babies too. It's funny how it's been a year, but they haven't forgotten. They still want in the house! About a week ago, it was raining at night and I felt sorry for one, because she wouldn't go in the doghouse with her sister and stay dry. So, I let her in the house and put her in the box with the babies. This weekend, we had lots of rain, so I brought all of them in and put them in the box.
So now I've got some spoiled hens and I don't know how to despoil them! Everytime the doors open, they come running to get in the house. They also stand at the french doors to the patio, and peck on the windows begging to be let in. I can deal with it, but I'm afraid hubby is going to get really annoyed with them and put them all (babies too) in the barn. I just can't bear the thought of anything happening to them! (For the record, hubby set a live trap in the chicken pen and caught a large raccoon, but I'm afraid there are others.)
So what can I do to despoil my girls????? Or is it too late???? I'm sooooooo frustrated!!!!
(One's pecking on the door right now!)
I'm losing my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
