new hens coming to look for me to put them to bed?

[jbethmann]

I just brought home four 9 week old hens on Sat...and they seem to come looking for me at dusk. One has figured how to hop up on the roof of the coop and then onto the door frame of the run to escape the fenced in run (we live in a city). Last night I found her at the back door of the house when I was going out to check on them! Normally they are happy to peck around their run, but they seem to get a little crazy just prior to dusk (around 7pm EST). Am I putting them to bed too late?

It is fun getting to know them, but I need to get some more chicken wire for that door!

 

[HennyJenny]

You could put them in a little earlier but then they'll just carry on because it's too early. If for some reason my girls can't get in their coop when they are ready they come and peck on the back door. I think it's kind of cute. They "need" us

 

[Wizbop]

I'm so glad you asked this. I have three 7 week old RIR girls and they are in a tractor coop. They aren't smart enough to know how to get up in their coop from their run just yet, but are really crying at dusk when we go to put them up. I think we may be putting them up too late. They are very happy when they get in there and settle down quickly. So, do you put them up prior to dusk? Is that best?

 

[write2caroline]

Mine really don't see very well when the light is low. I let mine out if I had to shut them in for the day like on a rainy day and if it is nice I will let them out but I know they cannot see well and eventually they do go in and to bed. Could be coming to the door if she can see light from a window. I try to put them up around 6-7pm. They will put themselves up around 5 sometimes.

Caroline

 

[jbethmann]

thanks so much for all of your help--this forum is so great!

 

[ghillie]