Wet

[Bren200]

Hi everyone, yesterday we got our new hybrid hens 7 of them. Just one thing I am worried about is it ok if the hens are wet from the rain. They don't seem to be worried about it as they are enjoying them self getting all the slugs & snails.

[Linda S]

Hi Bren and wellcome if i havnt said it already
Just below us Lizzy has put a thread on about her ex-batts and rain and there are some good tips on there

You will soon get to know your girls and of course they will very quickly learn to wrap you round thier little beaks and have you at thier beck and call, so wellcome to the wonderful world of chook slavery Lindaxx

[Freeranger]

Welcome to't lane Bren!

They are absolutely fine doing what they want to do, and are able to keep the water mostly on the surface of their feathers by preening - you'll see them stimulate an oil gland with their beaks and then spread it over themselves. Best to give them some shelter as well, especially in the winter, but they'll let you know when they're miserable. The shade can stop them overheating in full sun as well. If you handle the chooks you'll notice how warm they feel - they're good at keeping warm.

[Bren200]

Welcome to't lane Bren!

They are absolutely fine doing what they want to do, and are able to keep the water mostly on the surface of their feathers by preening - you'll see them stimulate an oil gland with their beaks and then spread it over themselves. Best to give them some shelter as well, especially in the winter, but they'll let you know when they're miserable. The shade can stop them overheating in full sun as well. If you handle the chooks you'll notice how warm they feel - they're good at keeping warm.

Well the hens are happy, had fun trying to put them to bed. Any tips on getting them to bed. As for shade their run is in the shade most of the time. My husband is going to put a cover over the roof of the run tomorrow. The hens are warm & very happy doing what hens do best.

[silverback]

Hi Bren, your girls will be fine, sounds as though you have it all sussed , my girls usually put themselves to bed, all I do is lock up, I'm just their caretaker!!

[Bren200]

Hi Bren, your girls will be fine, sounds as though you have it all sussed , my girls usually put themselves to bed, all I do is lock up, I'm just their caretaker!!

Hi, how did you get them to go to bed by themselfs ?

[silverback]

Bren wrote:
Hi, how did you get them to go to bed by themselfs ?

They did it when I first got them!


If yours are roosting outside after dark, try putting them in the coop, they will catch on eventually

[Wellington Boot]

Hi, how did you get them to go to bed by themselfs ?

Hi Bren,

Welcome to the Lane, if you only bought your girls home yesterday, I would keep them confined to a run (attached to the coop) for at least a week, that will stop them from straying too far, they should go into the coop themselves when it goes dark, but sometimes hybrids can get a bit confused (my newbies have only just got the hang of it, they spent ages roosting in a rose bush!) at least if they are in a run, they will be safe, and eventually they should get the hang of roosting in the right place. (you can always speed this up by placing them into the coop at night, or tempting them in with some corn, just before dusk, and then shutting the door).

Good luck with it all.
Nikki

[Mo]

Ditto.
I start mine in the house - if they find their way out they will know their way back. And stay in a small run for a week (or at least few days), then let out into a larger run (or free range if you want) just before bedtime. They won't go so far if they are already thinking about bed, so they'll get used to going in. Give them longer the next day, till you are sure they know.

[Bren200]

Hi, how did you get them to go to bed by themselfs ?

Hi Bren,

Welcome to the Lane, if you only bought your girls home yesterday, I would keep them confined to a run (attached to the coop) for at least a week, that will stop them from straying too far, they should go into the coop themselves when it goes dark, but sometimes hybrids can get a bit confused (my newbies have only just got the hang of it, they spent ages roosting in a rose bush!) at least if they are in a run, they will be safe, and eventually they should get the hang of roosting in the right place. (you can always speed this up by placing them into the coop at night, or tempting them in with some corn, just before dusk, and then shutting the door).

Good luck with it all. Hi, our hens are in a run with the coop in it. I will try with corn at the weekend.
Nikki

[bmpsands]

Mine seem to know about going to the coop without any training. The original 4 had never been locked up at night, just left in the run. We felt safer with them in the coop with the little door bolted shut.

My problem now, with the light nights, is that I'm waiting for them to go to bed. Last night wasn't so bad as they went in by about 9.45pm. At the weekend, with the lovely weather, I was sitting in the garden room until well past 10pm.

Welcome, by the way. I've had hens for a year now and am totally besotted.