Hen not going in at night

[BDutch]

There are two. They're closed for the winter because they're near roost height. They get air circulation through the eaves and the small gaps I left when constructing the nests.

I meant a real glass / perspex window , at least in winter.

Any other ideas to ease her back into sleeping in the coop at night during the upcoming weeks of cold weather are welcome as well.

Maybe something over her head?. Like a tiny tarp. To feel more safe.

 

[jxp]

I meant a real glass / perspex window , at least in winter.

Window #2 is an opening in the roosting area that I made 2 different cover/inserts for. The winter insert is clear double-wall polycarbonate as you find in many greenhouses so there's still light getting in. The spring-summer-fall insert is hardware cloth over a steel grid much like the one in the picture of window #1.

Maybe something over her head?. Like a tiny tarp. To feel more safe.

We'll see. . . . But I'm definitely drawing a line at pyjamas and lullabies.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

whaaa--- and you call yourself a chicken mama! How about bedtime stories then?

 

[jxp]

I will never understand the hamster wheel that turns inside that feather head. I went out around 7:30 to check on Sherry's whereabouts and because I'd shut the gate at snack time she was in the corner of the run fluffed up big as she could be.

I picked her up and boy were her feet and legs cold! You know how some kids go outside in a winter coat, with a hat and mittens and shorts? Yeah, that. She was sleeping standing in the corner, not even hunkered down.

I cuddled and cooed at her and petted and kissed her head and put her inside on her new little floor-level roost facing her freshly made bed with an air of "look what I have made, I am the mighty fixer of things and you shall now enjoy my benevolence".

She stayed there for about three minutes considering it then turned herself around and stepped off the log. I think she sensed I was just outside because she slowly walked step by step kitty corner across the coop past the door to where the ducks usually nap. Tonight, of course, they decided to cuddle under the roost bar that BSW - and until some time recently, Sherry - claimed.

Whatever.

I went out again around 9 and she's still there. Inside but ignoring my handiwork. I'm calling it a victory nonetheless. Tomorrow is its own challenge.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

She was sleeping standing in the corner, not even hunkered down.

Well of course! Who wants to hunker down on a couple of ice cold chicken legs?

 

[redinator]

Window #2 is an opening in the roosting area that I made 2 different cover/inserts for. The winter insert is clear double-wall polycarbonate as you find in many greenhouses so there's still light getting in. The spring-summer-fall insert is hardware cloth over a steel grid much like the one in the picture of window #1.


We'll see. . . . But I'm definitely drawing a line at pyjamas and lullabies.

No you wouldn't

 

[jxp]

No you wouldn't

I wouldn't be surprised to find out you have, though. Oh my goodness. You HAVE! Haven't you!?

 

[redinator]

I always love reading about your chickens antics. It's always well written and entertaining. You should get together with someone that does caricatures and write a comic strip. It would be a hit . . .well, on here at least.

 

[redinator]

I wouldn't be surprised to find out you have, though. Oh my goodness. You HAVE! Haven't you!?

Two girls have saddles, but other than that no . . not yet

 

[BDutch]

Two girls have saddles, but other than that no . . not yet

What about the lullabies?