travisbeville
In the Brooder
- Sep 7, 2015
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My 12 don't seem to want to go inside their coop at night and want to stay out and roost in their run...is this normal or do they not like their coop and at what age do they not need heat lamps
Not liking coop?
- Thread starter travisbeville
- Start date
If they're staying outside they no longer need a heat lamp. If they need it, they'll stay by it. If there is a heat lamp in there now, that may be keeping them outside, both to avoid the heat and the light.
Also, once the heat lamp is gone, you'll probably need to lock them inside the coop for up to 3 nights or so till they go inside on their own. If the run is predator proof, you can just let them sleep out there. Most go into a coop because it's usually more secure.
They also crave fresh air and if the coop is too 'cooped up' that will make them want to stay out.
Also, once the heat lamp is gone, you'll probably need to lock them inside the coop for up to 3 nights or so till they go inside on their own. If the run is predator proof, you can just let them sleep out there. Most go into a coop because it's usually more secure.
They also crave fresh air and if the coop is too 'cooped up' that will make them want to stay out.
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- #3
travisbeville
In the Brooder
- Sep 7, 2015
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That's what confuses me is that they are staying outside but when I put them I the coop many of them roost as close to the heat lamp as they can...the coop is a 8x10 shed with no windows only the 2 sliding doors. Should I put some vents or Windows in it could that be it
- Jan 30, 2015
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Have you checked the coop / roosts for mites? Maybe theres something inside that is irritating them (e.g. dust, fungus).
CT
if you have no vents you should really add a few.
You need big ventilation. Shoot for 1 sq. ft. per bird if you can.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...-go-out-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...-go-out-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop
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- #7
travisbeville
In the Brooder
- Sep 7, 2015
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Ok that's actually what I have been thinking all along. That I need several vents.. I didn't know also does it need to be totally dark in there or do they need some kind of light in the roost
Get rid of the heatlamp, once they are feathered, they don't need it. And cut some holes in the coop to let in some light and fresh air. 1 sq ft MINIMUM of vent, per bird. Better to have more. And, as they are not moles, they like a sunny open coop. Their vision in dim light is terrible. They should not be made to feel their way around in their own house.
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travisbeville
In the Brooder
- Sep 7, 2015
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Ok thank you for the replies. I can leave the front doors of the coop open, I have screened it in. Hopefully that will also add some moonlight so it isn't so dark
At night, they like it dark. Dark is good at night. Light in there can make them restless. I had a rooster a few years ago, that would crow at night, if I turned on the outside light. In the daytime though, they like to be able to see where they are going, so a bright airy coop is the way to go.
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