- Jan 24, 2012
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I bought 3 10wk old australorp pullets last Saturday. They seem happy and healthy - eating, drinking, pooping, pooping, pooping.
I Put them in the new coop I built: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/coop-casa-vista-a-la-piscina last Sunday after having them inside overnight just to watch that they're healthy. Sunday evening they came downstairs for a while, and I threw them some vegetable scraps which they didn't seem interested in. That was the last time I've seen them downstairs. It's now Wednesday.
So, a few questions:
Sorry for so many questions. One thing to note is that there are two dogs next door that bark, so this might be freaking them out a bit, but they came from a farm environment where I would have thought that kind of noise would be normal.
Any advice, suggestions gratefully accepted!
LD

I Put them in the new coop I built: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/coop-casa-vista-a-la-piscina last Sunday after having them inside overnight just to watch that they're healthy. Sunday evening they came downstairs for a while, and I threw them some vegetable scraps which they didn't seem interested in. That was the last time I've seen them downstairs. It's now Wednesday.
So, a few questions:
- Should I be concerned that they're not venturing downstairs yet or am I being too ambitious? Is it all just too scary for them? How long does it take for them to realize that this is home and get comfortable?
- Is it too young for them to be interested in veggie scraps? When I had them inside, they were scratching and pecking the newspaper. If they're too young, when can I expect them to start?
- I intend to free range them whenever I can be home to supervise, but my dad recommended keeping them locked for a few weeks until they get that the coop is home. I've clipped their wings...when should I start letting them out?
- Should I just drag the suckers out into the daylight and make them go downstairs and/or into the yard? How can I encourage them out?
Sorry for so many questions. One thing to note is that there are two dogs next door that bark, so this might be freaking them out a bit, but they came from a farm environment where I would have thought that kind of noise would be normal.
Any advice, suggestions gratefully accepted!
LD