Training your hens to ‘Their Pole House.’
We usually find that even the slowest of birds get the idea of ‘Pole House living’ within 5 to 6 days, so do not rush them and in return for a few days of your patience they will give you a lifetime of putting themselves safely to bed. Very important. If you are re-homing ex caged battery hens then the house must be left on the ground until they have recovered their health, strength and plumage. This can take a couple of months.
Training is broken down into easy steps.
- Keep your hens shut in the Pole House for the first two days. This ensures that they know that this is their new home. Make sure they have plenty of food and water as well as bedding in the nest box so they can lay you an egg if so inclined. Do by all means look in on them as they will begin to get used to you.
- Day three open the hen door and stand back. If your hens are anything like ours absolutely nothing will happen, but in time the first tentative heads will peer out and if left alone, curiosity will get the better of them, your hens will ‘jump and flutter’ out. (Fact: Longest recorded flight of a chicken is 14 seconds). Leave their food in the Pole House as this will be added incentive for them to return to roost or lay eggs.
- Now for the tough bit. Your hens will have had a pleasant day out, probably pecking around the bottom of the Pole House, eating any dropped food. Quite naturally they will want to find somewhere for the night and this where you come in. Scatter a little food at the bottom of the ladder for them to peck at. Some will go straight up but most need help. We find the best method is to gently lift your hens onto the ladder 2 or 3 steps from the top and guide them up and in using your hands either side. Once in you can repeat this process a couple of times by taking them out of the big door. Always keep calm and do not stress the girls.
- On subsequent days repeat the process but place your hens further down the ladder steps. They always get the idea in the end and whilst other free range chicken owners have to rush home to shut up their hens against the fox yours will now put themselves safely to bed every night. It is important that you shut your hens up when you eventually get home as chickens get up at day break and especially in summer the fox may still be lurking about.
At the end of training it is a pleasure to watch your hens popping in and out of their new home (friends will be most impressed by your performing poultry) and you will literally be able to look them in the eye whilst opening their hen door in the mornings.
If you need further advice then do contact us on 07976 443742 or using our website: www.housesforhens.co.uk
