Last night I decided to herd Speckles and Ebony in to the chicken shed half an hour later so that it would be a quicker process. I went out at half past nine.
As soon I walked towards to their branch perch Speckles jumped down and Ebony immediately followed. I am sure that they know I don’t want them out there at night! Herding them in was a much quicker and easier process as they are more receptive when it’s a little later.
This time Ebony jumped straight to the spot she had perched on the night before on the end of Dandelion and Cinnamon’s perch. She is obviously a creature of habit. I decided to take charge this time and lifted her to the back perch but not too close to the corner. It will be better for her to get into the habit of perching on the back perch because it is wider and more suited to their bigger feet.
Speckles then jumped to her usual spot in the corner and they very quickly settled.
Speckles and Ebony at bedtime
This is a much better arrangement and I hope that tonight Ebony will automatically settle here.
Ebony has settled in so quickly which is amazing. She has very quickly grown in confidence and now runs to greet me and knows the rattle of the treats and also that the patio area is where the greens and fruit will be. She loves the morning spinach and the afternoon apple.
It is almost as if she has been with the flock for ages rather than just four days. I do have to stop myself from calling her Emerald though.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
We tried to get the our girls to bed too early a time or two. Once they got acclimated they would all end up in their spots on their own, until the night the door blew shut. Then they roosted all over the yard (in trees, on the roof of the coop, in the perennial borders). Then we spent a fun hour searching the yard with flashlights and moving hens inside the coop. Good times. I hope you never have this adventure.
My girls are in a contained run so would always be easy to find. Most of the flock go in about an hour before the automatic, pop hole, door shuts. In winter they all go in but in summer Speckles and Emerald liked to stay out. Now Emerald has gone Ebony is following in her footsteps. I prefer that they sleep inside so encourage them in just before the door shuts. Sounds like that was a fun night!
Amazing, how she has settled in, in such a short time.
I know. We have never had a girl settle in so quickly. She looks as if she has always been here.