Rescue hens don't roost

[Jules6hens]

Hi, they were caged hens, but not battery. Caged hens here are locked in small cages, and when 18mths old are discarded to be killed....I got them from a lovely lady who rescues them from this caged hen farm and I understand they won't live as long as normal hens would, they will only live another two years....which in itself is very sad. I don't expect them to lay lots of eggs and brought them into the family to give them a good life now and in return if I can get some eggs then all the better.

 

[Honey B]

Welcome! Pretty neat way to get into chicken keeping!

 

[ChickyChickens]

Welcome to BYC!!! There are loads of members on here…so if you have ANY questions…just ASK!!!

Hope you have loads of fun and all your answers answered here on BYC the BEST CHICKEN KEEPING FORUM on EARTH!!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Jules6hens]

Morning! well I had a bit of fun yesterday. I did put a practice roost in the yard and put each hen on their and held them till they felt secure on the thick branch...then let them go. Most of them stayed on their for a minute then hopped down. I'll keep trying this. and last night, I blocked off the nesting boxes with cardboard, but the roosting area isn't big enough for the roosts and the 6 hens if they don't want to get up on the roost so had to take them out. Oh well. I'll keep trying but nice to know there isn't any real issue if they choose to stay nestled together on the base (which is up off the ground next to the nesting boxes and safely locked away so no intruder can get to them). and funnily, I was not early enough for them this morning, as they wait for me down on the ground at the door to get out at first light (5am here!) so I let them out, took the cardboard out of the way of the nesting boxes, but when I went out an hour later, there was an egg on the ground, so the poor girl, just assumed she couldn't get into the nesting box! I'll try it a few more times, but don't want to discourage them from using the nesting box to lay their eggs either! Small problems...as I'm enjoying the journey! thank you everyone. much appreciated. Cheers. Jules