ChickenLady&aRooster
In the Brooder
Okay so looking for reasons to their craziness or help.
I have 3 older pullets and Martin who always slept in their coop with no issues.
We do now have 6 - 6 week old chicks who we have recently divided off a section of our run (its huge we expanded for them) so that they can all get used to each other since our older ones are a bit territorial.
Babies sleep in their coop every night and roost wonderfully (we started that at 3 weeks).
No one is trying to attack the babies though the fencing and they often hang out close to each other - so far so good.
Here's the problem - ever since we expanded the run and put the little ones outside I have noticed the older ones sleeping outside on a roosting bar all night (spotless coop) but still lay eggs inside. Don't know if taking the roosting bar down is smart or if they are doing it to look after the babies. Nights have only been down to the high 50's and low 60's so temperature isn't an issue at this point but if it continues could become one if I don't get them back in.
Our coop is well protected against predators and the issue isn't mites.
Grateful for any advice
I have 3 older pullets and Martin who always slept in their coop with no issues.
We do now have 6 - 6 week old chicks who we have recently divided off a section of our run (its huge we expanded for them) so that they can all get used to each other since our older ones are a bit territorial.
Babies sleep in their coop every night and roost wonderfully (we started that at 3 weeks).
No one is trying to attack the babies though the fencing and they often hang out close to each other - so far so good.
Here's the problem - ever since we expanded the run and put the little ones outside I have noticed the older ones sleeping outside on a roosting bar all night (spotless coop) but still lay eggs inside. Don't know if taking the roosting bar down is smart or if they are doing it to look after the babies. Nights have only been down to the high 50's and low 60's so temperature isn't an issue at this point but if it continues could become one if I don't get them back in.
Our coop is well protected against predators and the issue isn't mites.
Grateful for any advice