|
|
Post by merks on May 2, 2015 18:45:10 GMT
So I decided to try chickens again. I had 4 about two years ago. We got them as 2 week olds we handled them daily and they became pets who would follow us every where and sit in our laps. Sadly we lost them to the neighbors dog. I didn't want to keep baby chicks in the house this time so I got the 6 week olds. They weren't really handled so they are very scared. My dh says they will never be pets because they were not handled as babies, I think it will take time but they will get used to us and be just like the others were. So after the long story my question is... what do you all think and any advice to help them feel safer.
|
|
|
|
Post by bergere on May 2, 2015 21:22:26 GMT
Just go slow, sit with... read a book while doing it. They just need to get used to you being around. Sometimes a meal worm treat helps.... once they learn goodies come from you... They will come running when the see you.  |
|
|
|
Post by merks on May 2, 2015 21:44:41 GMT
That's what I was thinking, I have them locked in the coop right now it's a little one that I can't really fit in, but I go out several times a day and talk to them and hold long grass for them to eat. As long as I don't move they are OK.
|
|
|
|
Post by merks on May 3, 2015 3:06:05 GMT
Another problem with these chicks, I have a small coop with an area below for them to walk around, drink, eat and what not. Then they have to go up to roost, they won't go up to roost I have to go out there every night and put them up there, but they stay huddled right at the entrance they don't go up on the roost. What do I do cause come winter if they don't roost they will freeze.
|
|
|
|
Post by aoconnor on May 3, 2015 12:07:26 GMT
Another problem with these chicks, I have a small coop with an area below for them to walk around, drink, eat and what not. Then they have to go up to roost, they won't go up to roost I have to go out there every night and put them up there, but they stay huddled right at the entrance they don't go up on the roost. What do I do cause come winter if they don't roost they will freeze. If you don't already have one, put a light in the coop for the birds. When you want them to go in, turn on the light, sprinkle a little white millet or meal worm treat around the interior of the coop including perches. They will figure it out. They will not go to roost in the dark though, so make sure that light is on before dusk so they can see their way in and up. |
|
|
|
Post by merks on May 3, 2015 17:47:21 GMT
I will try the light, don't have a way to plug one in but I have a yard solar light I can put in there. Once they start going up, will I be able to stop using the light?
|
|
|
|
Post by Bear Foot Farm on May 3, 2015 21:01:35 GMT
I will try the light, don't have a way to plug one in but I have a yard solar light I can put in there. Once they start going up, will I be able to stop using the light? Yes, if they ever get into the routine the light won't be needed, although a light above a container of water will lure in some free feed in the form of bugs |
|
|
|
Post by merks on May 3, 2015 21:26:06 GMT
Thanks everyone, I will give it a shot tonight. I have the light charging now.
|
|
|
|
Post by merks on May 3, 2015 23:14:50 GMT
OK light is in the roost area, didn't have any meal worms so I chopped up a tomato and put a trail of them from down below up to the roost area. Crossing my fingers that they won't be huddled up down below tonight.
|
|
|
|
Post by aoconnor on May 4, 2015 2:18:23 GMT
I leave my light on overnight, though most people don't. My guineas roost up high, without a light they can't move at all, and if they fall off the perch they are stuck on the ground until morning..
|
|
|
|
Post by merks on May 4, 2015 3:24:22 GMT
Well a bit of an improvement, the light was very dim but they did manage to all go up tonight on their own. They are all still huddled right at the entrance though. Baby steps or should I say Chicky steps lol.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 4, 2015 4:33:19 GMT
I love it when advice actually helps!
|
|
|
|
Post by aoconnor on May 4, 2015 11:33:36 GMT
If you have a Lowes or Home Depot, they have the battery operated lights that are a pull string regular looking fixture, or they also have "puck lights" that are similar to ones you would put in a closet, pantry, or under cabinet. Tap lights I think they are called. The batteries last a long time, and you can stick one up inside your coop with minimal labor. I have them in my stalls so if I have a mare foaling or a horse that needs medical attention during the night, I can have light on in just one stall rather than turning on my barn lights. I love the pull sting ones, they give off a good bit of light.
|
|
|
|
Post by merks on May 4, 2015 13:17:04 GMT
aoconnor we don't have those stores near by, but I'll bet I can find one at our local hardware store. Thanks for the idea.
|
|
|
|
Post by merks on May 5, 2015 1:36:47 GMT
Well the best I could find was a small battery lantern. I put it in the back corner so they should be able to see the roosts. Wish my babies luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by merks on May 5, 2015 3:31:29 GMT
They went up again by themselves!!! Yay for that but they are all still huddled at the entrance....No roosting yet.  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 5, 2015 6:45:59 GMT
Have you researched the height on the roosts? Mine are up maybe 4 ft. They have dowels - round rods maybe an inch wide. I have a good 16 feet of roosts in part of the coop but the rooster & 3 hens cluster in a few feet together.
|
|
|
|
Post by merks on May 5, 2015 11:29:29 GMT
Mine are only about 2 feet up. I wonder if I set one up down below for them to practice on during the day will help. Not really sure if the guy I got them from had roosts for them.
|
|
|
|
Post by aoconnor on May 5, 2015 11:59:18 GMT
Mine are only about 2 feet up. I wonder if I set one up down below for them to practice on during the day will help. Not really sure if the guy I got them from had roosts for them. It took my birds a while before they figured out how to get up to the roosts. I have benches that are about 15 inches off the ground, all the way around the inside of my coop. Then above those, I have perches cut from my trees on our place. They are all at least 2 inch in diameter and places in the corners kitty corner. My silkies love the lower perches, my guineas and smaller Bantys like the higher up perches that are about 6 feet high, plus the rafters are the favorite place for several of my birds. It will take time, but I bet your birds will figure it out. |
|
