The bedtime routine has settled down

Since we lowered the perches the girls have been taking a lot longer to settle in the evenings. Toffee, Emerald and Speckles get forced out a few times and Peaches and Barley are now always last in. Peaches and Barley are always looking up as if searching for a higher place to roost.

As Amy advised, I knew we had to wait at least three days for it to settle down. Four evenings later and they seem to be getting used to it and settling more quickly.

What amazes me is that during the day they flock together happily and yet at night they are so fussy about having another girl near them.

Yesterday they were all hanging out by the bush and the table. It was difficult to get good photos as the gate and table were in the way but you can see that all eight girls are grouped together.

All eight girls hanging out together

Eight girls together

Despite loads of room in the run they all chose to congregate in this corner.

The bedtime line up seems to have settled into a pattern now. Honey favours the right hand perch and has settled there every single night since the new perch arrangements have been in place. Sometimes Speckles will be next to her but mostly she is there on her own and always facing away from the other perches.

Butterscotch always settles in the middle of the back perch. Speckles is usually tucked in the corner next to Topaz and Peaches and Barley will be anywhere along the back but next to each other if possible. Toffee is usually tucked into the left hand corner and occasionally is on the new perch. The new perch seems to be the least favourable.

The current bedtime line up

I had to crop Honey as there is not room to get all the girls in. Notice how all the girls space themselves apart from Peaches, Barley and Toffee.

Butterscotch is much happier with the new arrangements. She goes to her spot on the perch quickly and easily each evening and can now jump down easily in the morning.

The girls now come out instantly when the automatic door opens in the morning. I think it has been worthwhile doing this despite the teething troubles.