i somehow acquired 2 runaways and i have questions. please help

[pollipazzi]

it was very warm today. the weather app said 17C (about 63F) but it seemed warmer. i just had the door open and not the window and it was just above 30C (86F) in the greenhouse. i opened the window and checked after a few minutes and it had gone a bit below 30C
maybe a little too warm.

i might do a test run on the next warm day and take out a couple of panels and see if there's a big difference.

 

[pollipazzi]

i left the terracotta pots in the nest boxes last night and built another roost. it was later than usual that i put them in and they were unusually calm. they checked it out but decided they would rather roost on top of the small run. they would be welcome to do that if it was safer but it is not. so i took the pots out (no fake eggs) and after some begging and pleading, they went in and slept in the nest boxes.
it was too chaotic of a day to try something new.
everybody is calm today and thelma isn't trying to sneak in there (yet)

 

[pollipazzi]

maybe it wasn’t broodiness. she might have been transforming into the incredible hulk. she just jumped louise and fought her for a snail and she wasn't backing down

otherwise normal?

 

[BDutch]

i left the terracotta pots in the nest boxes last night and built another roost. it was later than usual that i put them in and they were unusually calm. they checked it out but decided they would rather roost on top of the small run. they would be welcome to do that if it was safer but it is not. so i took the pots out (no fake eggs) and after some begging and pleading, they went in and slept in the nest boxes.
it was too chaotic of a day to try something new.
everybody is calm today and thelma isn't trying to sneak in there (yet)

After things calmed down. If you have a better roost now, I would try to put then on the roost after dark. Every evening for 2-3 weeks, until they understand.

 

[pollipazzi]

After things calmed down. If you have a better roost now, I would try to put then on the roost after dark. Every evening for 2-3 weeks, until they understand.

there's 2 problems for me to do that. they do not let me touch them, and i can't get into the gnome door to do it

 

[pollipazzi]

they aren’t wanting to go in the coop. (i did finally persuade them)

do you think it’s:
a. they miss the fake egg.
b. they do not like the new roost. it’s scary.
c. they are traumatised from yesterday.
d. all of the above

 

[BDutch]

there's 2 problems for me to do that. they do not let me touch them, and i can't get into the gnome door to do it

Dont you have a lid on the nest box?

Trust me if the girls are in the nestbox after dark, you can pick them up and put them on the roost. Just don’t hesitate.

 

[BDutch]

they aren’t wanting to go in the coop. (i did finally persuade them)

do you think it’s:
a. they miss the fake egg.
b. they do not like the new roost. it’s scary.
c. they are traumatised from yesterday.
d. all of the above

Yes.
I think they dont like the small coop.
If you interfere too much they might get traumatised.

Thats why I said, after things calm down.
I suppose its better to make a big coop /run from the old greenhouse, move them asap.

Add a simple roost with a poop board or a chicken ladder and something you can use for nestbox, like a cat litter box, your current coop or an old cabinet or just a simple cardboard box with a hole on the side. Chickens like clutter and plants too.

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