Progress

It’s been a slow process but we are getting there. The evening after my last post I made a mistake which set us back a bit. I barricaded in front of the covered nest box to try to stop Red jumping at it. I put in front of it the broom and my boots and flip flops from the cabinet. That was my first mistake and my second mistake was that I didn’t go up and check on them before bedtime as I felt confident after Mango and Cloud had gone in four nights running and Snow one.

When we did go and check just before the pop hole closed the whole flock were still outside. Most of them were perched above the hatch to the further end of the run. My barricade had put all the girls off going in. I herded them all in.

So on to plan B. I decided that going forward I would remove the nest boxes before bedtime. The next night Snow went in and was perched but not Mango and Cloud. I was kicking myself that I had set them back. I guided them in and the next minute Red had flown up on to the chicken shed roof. I was amazed that she managed that being a heavier bird than the rest of them. I put Red in just before the pop hole closed and then had to perch her.

Last night when I checked before bedtime Red was in the chicken shed but came out again when she heard me go through the gate. I kept returning at intervals. Snow, Storm and Gold were all perched. A few moments later Red went in. I waited a moment then opened the door to see where she was and just at that moment she jumped up to the perch. This was the first time Red had ever jumped to the chicken shed perch. It felt like a real breakthrough.

I then guided Mango towards the pop hole and she went in and perched. Cloud then followed her in and perched. Hurrah, I think we are getting somewhere. I always felt Red would be the most difficult one so if she starts going in I am sure Mango and Cloud will soon follow.

I think that as more girls go in it will make the girls still out more likely to go in as they won’t want to be on their own. I don’t think it will be long before they all go in. I am on a mission now and won’t give up until I have them all going in. From now on I will keep checking on them before bedtime. It just remains to be seen what happens tonight but I think we are really getting there.

Edit

Tonight I checked on them half an hour before the pop hole was due to close. Storm and Gold were on the side perch and Snow and Red were on the back perch. Hurrah, that was amazing. We have cracked it with Snow and Red. Mango and Cloud were on the patio area outside the pop hole.

I returned quarter of an hour before the pop hole was due to close. Mango and Cloud were still on the patio area. I picked up Mango and put her through the pop hole. Cloud then made a bee line for the pop hole and went in. I opened the door and watched them both jump up to the perch.

The pop hole soon closed. I feel we are so near to them all going in. I am really happy that Snow and Red are now going in. I think once Mango starts going in Cloud will follow. We are so close now. It is only a matter of time. I am really happy with the progress.

And in other news Gold has gone broody. She had laid ten eggs in two sixteen days. Just Snow and Storm laying now.