Hi All,
So I've had my 4 pullets for 2 weeks now. They're starting to get used to me, not quite so skittish as they were.
They were sleeping in the nesting boxes so I blocked those off. Then, when I go out at night to close the pop door they're all sleeping on the ramp and lip of pop door. I gently shoo them into the coop and find that they're sleeping right on the floor in middle of the coop in the bedding.
Even though it's only about 12-15 inches from coop floor up to the poop shelf, I built a ramp up to the roost area. I've got the poop shelf and a 2x4 mounted a couple inches over that.
My concern is that they're never going to figure it out and I've got two of them that their combs and waddles are starting to look more pinkish-red. Slowly turning color. They're at about 15 and 17 weeks of age so those two could conceivable start laying in a few weeks. If I open up the nest boxes they'll probably start sleeping in there again.
Am I just being impatient or will they figure it out eventually. I know one of them has been up there because there was some poop on the shelf but that was during the day, not at night.
Any other suggestions or do I just need to wait it out for a couple more weeks?
I also need to say that several suggestions have been to wait until late at night and move them up to the roost. I've tried to do that a few times. They're still skittish enough that they hear me coming - doesn't matter how quiet I am - and are wide awake by the time I get the door open. Thanks so much and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Heather
So I've had my 4 pullets for 2 weeks now. They're starting to get used to me, not quite so skittish as they were.
They were sleeping in the nesting boxes so I blocked those off. Then, when I go out at night to close the pop door they're all sleeping on the ramp and lip of pop door. I gently shoo them into the coop and find that they're sleeping right on the floor in middle of the coop in the bedding.
Even though it's only about 12-15 inches from coop floor up to the poop shelf, I built a ramp up to the roost area. I've got the poop shelf and a 2x4 mounted a couple inches over that.
My concern is that they're never going to figure it out and I've got two of them that their combs and waddles are starting to look more pinkish-red. Slowly turning color. They're at about 15 and 17 weeks of age so those two could conceivable start laying in a few weeks. If I open up the nest boxes they'll probably start sleeping in there again.
Am I just being impatient or will they figure it out eventually. I know one of them has been up there because there was some poop on the shelf but that was during the day, not at night.
Any other suggestions or do I just need to wait it out for a couple more weeks?
I also need to say that several suggestions have been to wait until late at night and move them up to the roost. I've tried to do that a few times. They're still skittish enough that they hear me coming - doesn't matter how quiet I am - and are wide awake by the time I get the door open. Thanks so much and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Heather
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