i somehow acquired 2 runaways and i have questions. please help

[pollipazzi]

the door is on! we used the big parasol to work under.

louise saw an opportunity to get in so she took it. and she sat in there whilst we drilled holes and everything. and if that's not looney enough, thelma came along and wanted in too!
i threw a fake egg in for thelma because it was around the same time she went yesterday, and she gets nervous without one. i think they were in there arguing over the egg.
but thelma is a super scooper and got that egg under her fast. so she won. louise came out about an hour later and has some sort of problem, but i haven't figured it out yet.

they keep me guessing, that's for sure!

oh. and last night, my husband saw an owl on top of the crows' tree!

it's not a good pic but that's him on top!

 

[MROO]

thank you! do you mean keep them in the coop for that long with no run?

If you "coop" them up in that wooden box, they'll go nuts! Give them access to the wire run part, too and add some enrichments - a cabbage head, things to peck and pick in ... make it their "Place of treats and safety!" Since they've had a taste of freedom - and obviously liked it - they'll be much more willing and likely to return to it when and if they are allowed to free-range again.

 

[pollipazzi]

If you "coop" them up in that wooden box, they'll go nuts! Give them access to the wire run part, too and add some enrichments - a cabbage head, things to peck and pick in ... make it their "Place of treats and safety!" Since they've had a taste of freedom - and obviously liked it - they'll be much more willing and likely to return to it when and if they are allowed to free-range again.

i never locked them up in the coop, they always had access to the run too. everything is different now. they free range all day and we built a better run for them. they have loads to keep them busy too. a lot has happened since then! it seems like a hundred years ago,

edited to add things.

 

[RoyalChick]

I now keep a permanent dog crate in my run. I have a hen that goes broody about every 6-8 weeks from spring to fall. I let her sit and hatch 3 eggs once, she did a great job until they moved out of the coop and then let the littles wander away from her. One got attacked by another hen and she sat and watched. Luckily I was there to intervene, and they became house-raised chicks. So no more mom-ing for her. She is a very persistent sitter, so as soon as she starts into the crate she goes. I’ve had a few others try broodiness a few times but they were easy to break without the cage.

Oh no!
I now also keep a crate ready permanently. It hangs on chains from the rafters and is above their door so it gets maximum draft underneath!

 

[pollipazzi]

Oh no!
I now keep a crate ready permanently. It hangs in chains from the rafters and is above their door so it gets maximum draft underneath!
View attachment 4175896

i have to know... is it an actual house they have? i would live in their coop

 

[pollipazzi]

i'm literally sitting in the run waiting for thelma to finish so i can take the eggs away
and she DOES sing songs in there. i knew it!

 

[RoyalChick]

i have to know... is it an actual house they have? i would live in their coop

House? No!
It is aptly named the Chicken Palace.
If it weren’t for the current rat visitors I would say it is nicer than the Big Coop that I roost in!
I will freely admit I got a bit carried away.

 

[pollipazzi]

House? No!
It is aptly named the Chicken Palace.
If it weren’t for the current rat visitors I would say it is nicer than the Big Coop that I roost in!
I will freely admit I got a bit carried away.

rats always ruin all the fun!

 

[RoyalChick]

rats always ruin all the fun!

I tell you, it is WAR!

 

[pollipazzi]

I tell you, it is WAR!

get em!!!! i'm rooting for you!!!