The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Sudanpan on January 12, 2021, 05:52:08 pm

Title: Aaaargh - trouble getting new hens into coop
Post by: Sudanpan on January 12, 2021, 05:52:08 pm: Evening All :wave:

Our local free range (not at the moment obvs) commercial laying hen operation had a rehoming of their 'spent' (13months old!) hens at the weekend.

We collected 4, and put them straight into their new coop. Shut them in their for 3 days and then they were out today (covered run). Unfortunately they are having trouble identifying with their new coop - which is raised 2 foot off the ground, with a ramp. They have come from a big field with barn accommodation setup - and they've been in the barn since 13th Dec. They seem pretty fixated on our garden shed which is outside the run and ignoring the coop. I had to round them up this evening and pop them in the coop.

I've shut down the outside run so they can't get as close to the shed, but short of shutting them in the coop again for several more days has anyone any other tips please?

TIA
Title: Re: Aaaargh - trouble getting new hens into coop
Post by: twizzel on January 12, 2021, 06:17:12 pm: Normally takes a week to 10 days of putting new chickens to bed every night before they get the idea.
Title: Re: Aaaargh - trouble getting new hens into coop
Post by: Sudanpan on January 12, 2021, 06:39:41 pm: Ah haa - ok fair enough, thanks for that.
I hate catching hens, feel like I'm traumatising them the whole time! I go as quietly and gently as possible but there is the inevitable trapping scenario being played out each time.
Title: Re: Aaaargh - trouble getting new hens into coop
Post by: Fleecewife on January 12, 2021, 11:55:53 pm: Have you tried chucking a handful of grain in the coop when you want them to go in? Maybe sprinkle some up the ramp so they get the idea and follow the trail up.
Title: Re: Aaaargh - trouble getting new hens into coop
Post by: doganjo on January 14, 2021, 01:03:29 pm: Quote from: Fleecewife on January 12, 2021, 11:55:53 pm
Have you tried chucking a handful of grain in the coop when you want them to go in? Maybe sprinkle some up the ramp so they get the idea and follow the trail up.
I do that even now with my flighty Wyandottes - they are stupid! Standing there freezing, dark - right next to the doorway - and no it's not red mites or anything else :innocent:
Title: Re: Aaaargh - trouble getting new hens into coop
Post by: Sudanpan on January 14, 2021, 08:44:34 pm: Pleased to report that the hens have now put themselves to bed 2 nights in a row :excited: Shutting the run down seemed to help quite a bit - I had sprinkled corn all the way up the ramps as well.
Phew :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Aaaargh - trouble getting new hens into coop
Post by: Black Sheep on January 15, 2021, 07:22:03 am: Put a light on inside the coop. As it goes darker they will gravitate to it. Voila, hens in the coop.