My girls officially outgrew their brooder today so I tucked them into the nest boxes of the main coop and watched them explore the coop and eventually meander out and play in the run.
I made sure that I was close by, if not in direct view, of the coop all day to ensure that they didn't get beat on too much by the hens. I was very surprised and delighted to see that not one of the hens in any way bothered the pullets. In fact, it almost seemed like they were a little spooked by the "mini-me's" running around.
I figured the whole thing had gone perfectly and at dusk, headed in to get ready for my evening. Looked out just before dark and saw those poor little ones just wandering forlornly in the run, obviously clueless as to where they were supposed to be.
I figured since I started them out in there, and they saw all the other chickens going there for the night, that they would get the idea. Nope.
Two times I rounded them all up and put them in the coop and on the roosts, but they all went squawking on out like the place was on fire. I finally gave up and rounded them up one last time and tucked them back into their brooder for the night.
Any tips? I know I should probably sneak back out and put them in the coop when it's full dark like it is now, but it's my bedtime, and I know where I'm supposed to sleep.
The two pullets on the left are ameraucanas. (I think one of them may turn out to be kind of blue, what do you think?) The other two reddish colored ones are a rhode island and a golden comet.
I made sure that I was close by, if not in direct view, of the coop all day to ensure that they didn't get beat on too much by the hens. I was very surprised and delighted to see that not one of the hens in any way bothered the pullets. In fact, it almost seemed like they were a little spooked by the "mini-me's" running around.
I figured the whole thing had gone perfectly and at dusk, headed in to get ready for my evening. Looked out just before dark and saw those poor little ones just wandering forlornly in the run, obviously clueless as to where they were supposed to be.
I figured since I started them out in there, and they saw all the other chickens going there for the night, that they would get the idea. Nope.
Two times I rounded them all up and put them in the coop and on the roosts, but they all went squawking on out like the place was on fire. I finally gave up and rounded them up one last time and tucked them back into their brooder for the night.
Any tips? I know I should probably sneak back out and put them in the coop when it's full dark like it is now, but it's my bedtime, and I know where I'm supposed to sleep.
The two pullets on the left are ameraucanas. (I think one of them may turn out to be kind of blue, what do you think?) The other two reddish colored ones are a rhode island and a golden comet.