- Sep 9, 2013
- 2
- 0
- 7
Asking on behalf of my mum who is new to keeping chickens.
She got 3 small (sorry, don't know the breed) hens a couple of weeks ago.The seller is reputable and breeds and owns chickens himself. She was told they should start laying within a month or so. They are kept in a brand new and large enclosed run/coop.
At first they were out all the time, apart from evening when they took themselves off to bed but now they are very reluctant to come out at all in the day time.
Any ideas?
They seem fine - making noises and appear content but they simply don't want to come out if they can help it.
Where she lives there can be wind and rain but even on the sunny days, they are reluctant.
They are kept on grass, with their house off the ground, and the grass is long. She wondered if they didn't like the long, wet grass but has strimmed it shorter and it hasn't made any difference.
She ensures they have clean food, water and grit, throws them speciality treats every few days and grapes, she has hanging green veg for them to peck at and keep them interested and active. Their house is clean and they have a small dust bath.
She lives in a very rural area so no noise could of shocked them etc and she doesn't have any dogs but just 2 elderly cats.
Being novice she's concerned they are sick or she's doing something wrong and so any help and advice you could offer would be greatly received!
She got 3 small (sorry, don't know the breed) hens a couple of weeks ago.The seller is reputable and breeds and owns chickens himself. She was told they should start laying within a month or so. They are kept in a brand new and large enclosed run/coop.
At first they were out all the time, apart from evening when they took themselves off to bed but now they are very reluctant to come out at all in the day time.
Any ideas?
They seem fine - making noises and appear content but they simply don't want to come out if they can help it.
Where she lives there can be wind and rain but even on the sunny days, they are reluctant.
They are kept on grass, with their house off the ground, and the grass is long. She wondered if they didn't like the long, wet grass but has strimmed it shorter and it hasn't made any difference.
She ensures they have clean food, water and grit, throws them speciality treats every few days and grapes, she has hanging green veg for them to peck at and keep them interested and active. Their house is clean and they have a small dust bath.
She lives in a very rural area so no noise could of shocked them etc and she doesn't have any dogs but just 2 elderly cats.
Being novice she's concerned they are sick or she's doing something wrong and so any help and advice you could offer would be greatly received!