First few hours of freedom?

[FraserP]

Today is the day I'm collecting the girls from BHWT in Nantwich.

With an eye on not adding to their stress, I'm now considering their initial freedom in the remaining hours of the day. There is only going to be a few hours before dusk \dark, due to my mid afternoon pickup time.

When I bring them to their new home, is there any initial advice on how this should\ could pan out?

1) In the coop (its an Omlet Cube Mk2), and let them out tomorrow?
2) In the run, its a secure 3m x 4n walk in run, with access to the coop and guide them into the coop later? BTW, the run has a roof and is protected from the expected strong winds.
3) In the garden, with access to both of the the above?
Please note, it's also forecast to be wet and very windy.

 

[Marigold]

I would leave them in the run, with the coop open, Fraser. They may be hungry and thirsty, and need to be able to find food and water. I don’t know what the pickup arrangements are for exbatts, and as they won’t have to contend with meeting any established hens they can safely explore and get their bearings before roosting time. Don’t be too quick to guide them into the coop - wait until it’s very nearly dark and help them a bit if they really don’t seem to have any idea, but it’s quite likely one may go in and the others will follow. They are grown-ups, after all!

 

[Icemaiden]

I'd strongly recommend keeping them confined to the run for at least a couple of weeks before you let them out. During this time they can get used to you & learn to associate the sound of a handful of mixed corn being rattled in a tub with "oh good, treats!".

Only when they'll reliably follow you (with the treats tub) as though you're the Pied Piper of Hameln would I let them out onto the garden. Then you'll be able to get them back into the run without any of you getting stressed.

 

[Marigold]

Yes totally agree with Icemaiden. It’s overwhelmingly probable that just being in the run in a small group will seem to them to be a huge amount of individual space, compared to what they're used to. So don’t worry about whether they want or need to venture further until they get to the stage where it’s difficult to get in the door without treading on them because they’re so keen to greet you and see what nice thing you are bringing them.

 

[bigyetiman]

Totally agree with the last two posts, they will soon get used to the run and coop, and then be eager for venturing further afield. Bribery works every time when you want to get them back in

 

[Icemaiden]

Almost every time. Yesterday I asked my husband to pass the treats out to me through the back door, as I had my wellies on. Instead of tipping some into the treats tub, he passed me a full bag. Holly didn't recognise it & wouldn't come anywhere near it! The others were munching away happily in the run while she dithered nervously outside...
Eventually I lured her in with a trail of mealworms, hiding the bag behind me. Doh... dappy birds!!!

 

[dianefairhall]

Almost every time. Yesterday I asked my husband to pass the treats out to me through the back door, as I had my wellies on. Instead of tipping some into the treats tub, he passed me a full bag. Holly didn't recognise it & wouldn't come anywhere near it! The others were munching away happily in the run while she dithered nervously outside...
Eventually I lured her in with a trail of mealworms, hiding the bag behind me. Doh... dappy birds!!!

I've tried giving ours treats on a plastic plate - they won't go anywhere near it. Chuck the treats on the ground, they're straight in!

 

[bigyetiman]

Ours get taken out in a yellow pot or dish. Of course if they are out in the garden one always thinks, " well I will just have another hour or so,= out here, and get back to you" Timed to perfection for when you need to put them away sharpish or it's raining

 

[dianefairhall]

Never had any trouble getting ours to bed. From the first day they formed an orderly queue and went into the Eglu unassisted. We just give them time to settle down and then close the door and top up their feeder. We leave a 1/2 inch gap between the door and the Eglu and they let themselves out in the morning.