Yesterday I decided it was time to get all the girls sleeping in one coop. Topaz has investigated the main coop and tried out the nest box but Sparkle has shown no interest in even looking in the door. Sparkle is much less inquisitive.
I decided that at dusk I would lift the new girls out of their little coop and put them in the main coop. I hope that once they have had a night in there they will return to it at bedtime the next night.
At dusk I lifted Sparkle from the little coop and put her in the main coop. I then put one of the other little girls in with her and shut the door. Next I lifted Topaz from the little coop and put her in and the other little banty followed her in. I shut the door and decided to let the four bantys settle before putting the big girls in.
All was quiet and about ten minutes later I put the big girls in the coop and closed the door.
With a torch pointed at the ground I opened the nest box and had a peek in. The big girls were on their usual perch with one of the original bantys and Topaz next to them on the perch. The other original banty was in the nest box (they often sleep in the nest box) and Sparkle was settled on the floor in front of the perch. This is where Bluebell used to sleep. All was quite and still.
The next thing I did was to move the little coop into it’s new position next to the other little coop. It is going to become a third nest box. I thought that now we have six girls it would be good to have three nest boxes. The position it is in is a spot the girls don’t use so it’s not taking up any valuable space.
During the day I had already removed the food and water bowl out of the area where the the little coop was in readiness for this next move.
I hope that tonight when the new girls realize that their little coop is no longer in it’s usual spot, they will automatically go to bed in the big coop. So far everything has gone really easily and it remains to be seen tonight, if this stage is as easy. If this works we will have full integration.
I thought I would photograph the new coops position this morning and straight away Honey and Amber went to check it out.
The new coop in its new position
Honey and Amber are first to check it out
They both go inside to investigate
They both approve of the new coop
So far so good. I just need to see how tonight goes now.
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You are one ahead of me . I am hoping to do it this weekend at some stage maybe .
Poor Blossom / Bluebell had a shock this morning as she went to lay her egg and Clover was all ready in there . Never happened before .Not laying just being awkward.
I think though I have a little way to go as she is a loner and does not mind having her own space .While she is happy then she can suit her self ..we will see but she is getting on fine .
I think Blossom is definitely a loner and would be quite happy on her own. She will get there though.
This morning Topaz has checked out the new coop in it’s new position but Sparkle doesn’t seem to be inquisitive at all. Tonight I will shut both little coops at bedtime to see if this encourages them to go in the main coop.