The Sullivan Six

[AinaWGSD]

Got the roosts built today (finally!). My girls are 18 weeks old tomorrow and they are still sleeping in a cuddle puddle on the floor. So we went out after dark and put them up on their new roosts. I sure hope they catch on quick.

 

[Callender Girl]

I hope she got the answer she was looking for!!

 

[AinaWGSD]

Day 4 and they still haven't got the hang of roosting yet. Today I had the thought that they go into the coop at dusk because the garage light is on, but then I don't have any way to fade that light off. So they're hanging out on the floor until we turn the light off and then it's too dark for them to make their way up to the roosts.

So this afternoon I rigged a nightlight up by the roosts. They did not make any attempt to go to roost when I turned the light off (I may not have waited long enough). So I picked them up and put them on the ramp that leads to the roosts one by one and encouraged them to walk up the ramp on their own.

Except for Artemis. Who pancaked as soon as I put her on the ramp. I'm sure she would have slept there all night

No one actually got on the roost on their own, but everyone made it up the ramp, so that's a start.

 

[Callender Girl]

I can chuckle a bit now -- because my new girls have FINALLY learned how to go into the coop at night. And, because I know how it feels to have a chicken pancake when you're trying to help her

I initially had to pick up my seven youngsters and individually lift each into the coop. It took several days before they figured out the ladder, and then it was like a clown car in reverse as they all tried to climb in at once.

As a few would get to the top, they would be shoved off my other chicks who were trying to push their way in. Comical? A bit, but thank goodness they learned how to take turns.

I have no doubt that yours will soon get the hang of roosting, even the reluctant Artemis!

 

[AinaWGSD]

Day 5 and we're getting there! When I went out to put the girls to bed tonight Limu was already on the perch

I turned the overhead off and went back in to feed the dogs and cats and give the girls a chance to get up there with the nightlight. When I went back out, almost everyone had made their way onto the roosts

Marcille was perched on the edge of the poop board, and Artemis was still (slowly) working her way up the ramp.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Day 7 and everyone made it up onto the roost by themselves tonight! Except! Silly Artemis decided to roost on top of the feeder

 

[AinaWGSD]

Day 11 and I went out to put the girls to bed last night and everyone! was upon the roost! Yay Artemis!

Went out tonight and everyone was up on the roost again! I think Artemis has finally figured it out! It wasn't just a fluke.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Three nights in a row now and everyone has gone to roost on their own! I think they've got it!

 

[Callender Girl]

Hurray for them -- and you!!

 

[AinaWGSD]

The Sullivan Six are 20, almost 21 weeks old now! Still no eggs, but we've gotta be getting close. I made nest boxes this weekend, and Tuesday I got some ceramic eggs to encourage them to lay there.

I told my husband I was putting the fake eggs in the nest boxes. Later that evening (I was at work) I get a text from him that just says "Stupid ceramic eggs"