Topic: Hens will not sleep

[sid]

hi i have got 5 hens nw and thy will not got in the hut on a night they will lay inthe hut but the sleep on top or under the hut is ther any way i can get them to start to sleep in the hut or not when i got them i just let them into the pen just thinking should i of put them in the hut to start with just for a bit till they get used to it any help pleasssss

[OliveOil]

Shut them in tonight and dont let them out til Tuesday morning - they should then have found their homing instincts

[sid]

thanks olive i will try it tomorow night now and let them out wednesday will let you know wat happens thanks

[SnooziSuzi]

I deffinately agree with OO.  Don't forget to make sure they have plenty of food and water in with them though!

My girls were really good when I first got them and they always put themselves to bed at dusk - All I need to do is to shut the pop hole and lock the cage doors!

[OliveOil]

Although they probably wont eat as it will be dark in there, but put it in anyway with the water - they will be fine as it isnt hot nor particularly cold either so will survive a day not eating or drinking.  It SHOULD work so fingers crossed for naughty hens!

[sid]

i tryed for agers to get them in but could not catch them mind you it was fun trying lol but will keep trying

[SnooziSuzi]

LOL!

I find that mine respond nicely to being herded using 2 bamboo canes;  just walk behind them and 'guide' them in.  They will generally avoid the canes so you can close in on them and herd them in to the coop.

HTH

[kt.]

Expect to chase them in the first few nights till they get used to it. You may need 2 people initially.

Ensure there is a perch higher than the nest boxes in the shed. Once locked in - they will nest on it. The perch I have runs the width of the shed inside and is approximately 4 inches wide. It is above the nest boxes at a height of about 4-5ft. When I lock my hens up after dark, they are inside, all resting / sleeping on this perch. Every one of them.

It needs to be wide enough so when the hens rest - their body covers their feet. This is very important for cold nights of low temperatures.

[sid]

thanks for the tip will try the cains i have a perch in but it only around 2 inch wide got told that was fine

[Philbasford]

our chucks just dont seem to perch they just sleep on the straw!