Stormyweather
Chirping
- Dec 6, 2017
- 21
- 35
- 79
I’m new to chickens and got 4 female 7 month old dominickers from a neighbor. We have an electric fence for them that’s huge and a nice coop with an unfortunately inaccessible roost (already thinking of the next coop or how to modify the existing one). We are on day 4 now and the hens just won’t come down. I have great food for them, have done my homework and read several books and websites and offer them good layer crumble and veggie and fruit treats. I maybe see them once a day early in the morning or not at all down from the roost.the roost is secluded and dark and warm with nesting boxes on the sides. I can’t force them down because I can’t reach them. I check on them and they look ok and make contented noises but I’m worried they aren’t eating or drinking enough and have no idea what to do. Is this normal? Also 2 of the 4 have pecked butts from the other two but they came to me that way. My fear is they will starve to death if this keeps up. I know that they know how to come down because i have seen them down out of the roost a few times. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thank you!!!