The Poultry Keeper

thandi · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 215 Location: east sussex

my girls have a sizeable run, and 'bespoke' house (all fashioned from recycled materials Very Happy

).
My lads hadnt used their den in a while, and so I recycled that too Wink

its a sizeable shed, and my idea is to add to chook numbers next year, but in the meantime I wanted to make it available to my existing girls....cept they dont seem at all interested Confused

I wasnt expecting them to abandon their current place (which is great, and will be staying as well as the new one) in favour of the new one, but I expected them to a least be a bit curious.

One or two have spent about thirty seconds having a cursory scratch about in there, and then they come out again.

will they ever get to like/use it?

I had thought they might like more choice of where to lay, and a bit of added interest...sigh. Embarassed

thandi

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

I switch back and forth between the main coop and the little coop for various reasons, health issues and rearing. To get them into the new coop, you will have to scoop them up and night and carry them over into the new one.

Then, since it is your entire flock you are talking about, just leave them closed up in it for a day. This will give you time to properly clean out the old one and try to remove as many identifiers to it as possible...i.e. feeders, waterers...etc.

Let them out the next morning and all should work out splendidly. Wink

jaydee67 · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:35 pm Post subject:

In theory at least! Wink

Who knows the mind of chickens!

NannyP · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:14 pm Post subject:

I only have to put fresh newspaper in the Ark, and the occupants decide it's unsafe, so roost on top Rolling Eyes

. Heaven knows what they would do with a new coop Very Happy

thandi · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 215 Location: east sussex

I have a cunning plan.... Cool

how about I put some of their fave treats in there in the afternoon - something they cant resist, like corn cobs...what do you think?

Aussie Chick · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 10:44 pm Post subject:

They'll go in put them in their handbags and take them back to the old one!!

thandi · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 215 Location: east sussex

LOL - b*gger!

where in MK are you staying? I am originally from Bletchley Rolling Eyes

Aussie Chick · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 10:49 pm Post subject:

Monkston, its a new bit. Very Happy

thandi · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 215 Location: east sussex

I've heard of it but I'd be lying if I said i knew where it was.
When I was growing up in Bletchley it was all green fields, then one day they started building and didnt stop! Crying or Very sad

I got out as soon as I was able,and rarely go back!

Aussie Chick · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:48 am Post subject:

I think since then Bletchley has gone form good to bad and now back to good again ( some parts of it). They are really trying to modern it up with wine bars and Tapas etc. I like MK its really easy to get around and coming from Brisbane it wasn't too villagey for me. Now that I've been in the UK for a bit I'm ready for Villagey, but need to save up!!

Lisa · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 7:47 am Post subject:

Hi from Giffard Park (near Newport Pagnell)

thandi · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 215 Location: east sussex

Hi Lisa - if I could do the wavy emoticon thing I'd do it Laughing

thandi

thandi · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 215 Location: east sussex

oooh look! hello2

I see I'm no longer 'getting laid' too! There goes my fun Rolling Eyes

NannyP · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:14 pm Post subject:

The wavy smiley is on the site. Just press the View more Emoticons over on the left of you reply and it brings up a massive page of them.. When you've found the one you want to use, just press on it Very Happy

Charnwood Chooks · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 8:14 pm Post subject:

everytime i move the house they roost where it's last position was - i have to carry them to it and pop them in - they get the hang of it by the next night!