[beth123]

I brought my 3 chickens (2 light Sussex and a buff Orpington) home around 3 o clock this afternoon and put them straight into their coop.  The buff orpington seemed fine, she was having a good look around and even let me stroke her.  Since then all three have been huddled together in the corner of the coop and I've just been to check on them and they are surrounded by piles of runny poo and they've not eaten anything.  Are they ok?

[daisy1990]

I was advised when I got my three girls to put them in the coop and leave them undisturbed overnight to let them settle and over the stress of the journey.  I know it is tempting to keep looking but they are best left alone.  Hens do have runny poo so likely that they will just have walked in it.  Also hens often dont eat or drink if stressed so again dont worry.  I would close them in and leave them until morning and see how they are then.

I presume in saying all this that you have bought them from a reputable breeder and they looked health when you collected them?

Do let us know how they are
Daisy

[bantam novice]

Good luck with the new hens, Beth,  .  I agree with Daisy that this could just be the stress of the move.  Keep your eye on them and keep us posted.

[PaulineM]

Hi
They will probably emerge tomorrow like nothing has happened. Agree with what daisy said, I left mine as well and the next morning they came out of the coop within ten minutes in a couple of days it will be ten seconds.  
You will no doubt have lots of questions over the next few weeks, don't hesitate to ask this site is great even for just getting some reassurance  

[beth123]

Thank you for the advice, I feel more confident now.  As you said it's probably the move that has upset them.  I hope they will be alright when I go down to them in the morning.

[waddecar]

Snap.....we brought 4 home at 3 o'clock too... and none have set a foot outside the hut since we opened it up at 4 o'clock. Mind it has been hissing down here since around 3.30 so quite wise really.

[evie2]

Hi Beth, we got our 5 hens when the weather was very warm at the beginning of the summer and it took them time to settle, I even asked on here if chickens were agoraphobic 

[beth123]

Morning everyone, thanks for the reassurance.  My ladies seem happy this morning.  I went down at 7.30 and let them out and the Orpington, who we've named Maggie, is really confident.  My Light Sussex's, who are nameless at the moment, don't seem as brave.  They've all eaten so I'm happy now.  Should I bring the food in after they've eaten in the morning or leave out all day?

How are your ladies doing waddecar?

[Flossie]

We have had our chickens just a week and know how worrying it can be. But now 3 of ours will eat out of our hand and seem very settled. Beware of a bit of bullying but it soons settles. Good Luck.

[PaulineM]

Hi Beth
Glad your ladies have settled well. 
Leave their food and water outside now, under cover if possible so as the food doesn't get wet and take it inside at night to stop rodents eating it. You don't need to leave food or water in their coop now as they don't eat or drink once they go to bed. 
As Flossie says beware of the pecking order now it will probably get quite vicious. 

[alancane]

Hi Beth,

Glad they are getting more confident today. You say leave the food in... what do you mean?
I would recommend having the food in the run and not in the coop.

[daisy1990]

Glad they are all well.  We leave the food and water in the run overnight with no problems (they are both in galvanised feeders which shelter the food from the rain), would recommend these as they seen to keep the food drier than the plastic alternatives

[beth123]

Yes galvanised feeders do sound like a good idea.  I was worried that leaving the food outside overnight would attract rats.

[daisy1990]

me too but we have had them for three months now and no sign of any vermin (thank goodness!)

[orchardlady]

I would recommend that you empty the water and refresh either that evening or first thing in the morning. I would also be extremely wary of leaving food out over night. You may not see vermin but I can guarantee they are around. You are simply leaving temptation and free access. The hard times are coming for vermin now so definitely move the food at night if at all possible.