Shy chicks

[Gorsty]

Hello again

I said I'd be back soon!

Brought my 3 chicks home last night and locked them in their sleeping quarters

I opened the pop hole at 7 am and its now 8.30 and no sign of them being brave enough to come out!

I know you guys told me they wouldn't need food/water over night but hv put a small bowl of food and water inside for them. They seem fine but are taking no interest in going out - I don't blame them though its absolutely freezing this morning!

Do I just leave them to it or encourage them outside at some point?

Bye for now

[MaureenHall]

Leave them to it with food and water in their line of vision. They're just getting used to their new home. If they haven't come out by tomorrow then certainly lift them out for a wander around

[davefromthechipie]

Hello again

I said I'd be back soon!

Brought my 3 chicks home last night and locked them in their sleeping quarters

I opened the pop hole at 7 am and its now 8.30 and no sign of them being brave enough to come out!

I know you guys told me they wouldn't need food/water over night but hv put a small bowl of food and water inside for them. They seem fine but are taking no interest in going out - I don't blame them though its absolutely freezing this morning!

Do I just leave them to it or encourage them outside at some point?

Bye for now

I dont know where you got your chicks from . But alot of the places claim to sell freerange chickens yet are barn hens and have never been outside :/ Yours are 8weeks old ? so its more then likely they are just new to the outside world I'd put them outside and lock the henhouse door ,well for an hour or two

[Flummery]

Welcome!

They will take a while to get used to the new house. Not a bad thing - you want them to regard it as home and put themselves to bed there. My breeder told us to shut ours in the house for 3 days - naturally we DID put food and water in! I ended up checking every couple of hours because someone would kick shavings in or poo in it!

The house is their place of safety. As long as they can see that there is food and water on offer they will go out when they need it. Good luck with them - you do know that it's compulsory to show us pictures, don't you!

[HayleyB]

Yep, totally compulsory pics......

I'd just let them do what they like, they'll get over it, anyway the weather is fowl - pun intended

[Gorsty]

Shy chicks

OK will get some picis for you. Have also got some when they were just days old - very cute fluff balls.

They have been out in the big wide world (with mum) since they were just 2 days old. A friend, John, had built mum a nice warm coup within a large run - she decided she would make home UNDER the coup so thats probably another reason why they won't venture outside. Their new home is 18" above ground and there's a ramp to contend with!!!!!