[Aunt Sally]

Keep them IN the run for a few days.  Don't let them out into the rest of the space.

[gsc]

Ok will do.

[marianwhittock]

this is turning into a soap opera, I am sorry you are having trouble with your new ladies but it is making me smile

I didn't have problems getting mine into their coup form the first night but I struggled to get them out!  I used to have to pick them up and put them outside.  not got that issue now though 

good luck

[gsc]

Lol Marian - I am sure I will look back at these posts and laugh my socks off when I realise how inexperienced I was.

Mine aren't straying far from the run and coop at all.  Earlier this morning, before I knew better ( ) I split the coop from the pen - the raised coop has part of the pen under.  The Amber is really comical.  She actually runs in the open space between the 2 pen areas and slows again when she reaches safety.

[flangey]

Don't worry, we've all got to start somewhere! When I first got mine, I couldn't figure out how the feeders and waterers worked!! Bonkers or what!! You'll learn loads on here though and don't forget how addictive it can be, I started with four and am now on 15!! keep us posted 

[gsc]

Oh boy I have had a fun day.  I was in the garden pottering away when I heard a 'cluck cluck'.  Methinks that sounds closer than the enclosure in the field and sure enough there are the girls at the garden gate looking up at me as if to say 'isn't it time for our corn?'.

So I turn off the electric fence, tripping over the earth wire as I go, and try and fathom how they got out, finally deciding they must have squeezed through at the end.

So I pull down a section and start to herd them towards it when they just pop through the squares of the netting.  Grrrr - ok it might keep foxes out but it aint gonna keep chickens in!!! Actually I blame hubby - he said it was up too high so I turned it down. 

Let's hope the proper poultry netting turns up tomorrow.  Sods law one of 3 parcels goes missing and it's the electric poultry net 

On a bright note, they all cheerfully followed me back to the run for some corn.

Things are looking up. 

[dizzylizzie]

ha ha ha ha, we can tell your new at this cos your suprised he he he he . You'll son learn what clever little things chickens actually are, very clever and very beautiful-but also very cunning

[Craig69]

Not forgetting nosey 

[marianwhittock]

We have only had our girls a few months but its certainly a steep learning curve, it'll all become more second nature quickly.

like not being surprised when they ignore the lovely treats you give them and eat your bedding plants - mine have discovered that the clematis is very juicy - hope its not poisonous.

I am assuming that they are bright enough to know not to eat bad things   

[Flowerpower136]

GSC . . .  have your chickens been in contact with my chickens?

Last night, Paxo attempted to sleep on the outside perch!!  Needless to say she was gently removed and tucked up with the others in the coop.

Will have to watch carefully tonight and get down there with a torch to double check for mites.  Don't think we've got any, as am like a maniac with the Diatom, and the others had gone in quite happily.

I've noticed in the past, that when they do all go in, and before the auto door closes, she sits close to the pop hole peering out .  . . can chooks have claustrophobia??!!!

[dizzylizzie]

Maybe she wants to go clubbing ....mine are usually good and go to bed by themselves, but in the winter, as Dory and Bramble head off to bed they set the security light off, and thats it then, they think its party time and refuse to go

[gsc]

 

I can see I am going to have fun.

[Flowerpower136]

No, there was no sign of a handbag, she was all set for a quite night in (but out), toes locked onto the perch, duvet fluffed, and head tucked in.

Wondering if 'words' had been said, and she was sulking.

At least it was easy to move her.  They are sitting ducks when they're sleepy, it's no wonder foxes find them easy prey.

[dizzylizzie]

  ...im getting worried about you Janet