Austinms
In the Brooder
- Aug 7, 2022
- 13
- 14
- 34
Hello Flock,
I have four 9-month-old Buff Orpingtons. They live in a small prefabricated coop (rated for four chickens but I doubt these claims) but free-range all day. I believe it is 2x2 with two roosting bars and nesting boxes (not included in the size). I have installed an automatic coop door. They are on a layer feed with 24/7 access to water, grit, and oyster shell. I have been planning on upgrading their coop, as I think it is too small for them. It is just a project that has been on hold. Within the last two months, the chickens have been displaying unusual behaviors, and I would like to solicit some advice. This is my first flock, and while I have done research into these issues, I would really appreciate some tailored advice.
Staying out at night
Situation: The hens prefer to roost on the roof rather than in the coop. For a few weeks, only one hen stayed out. Now it is occasional but still happens. I have not been able to determine a clear pecking order
My suspicions: Is the coop too small? They were fine with it for a long while. Does the colder weather have anything to do with it?
What I've done: I have taken pains to ensure the coop stays pristinely clean. I have checked and treated for mites (no visible mites found) consistently. I have plans to build a bigger coop. I have made sure that the door isn't closing before they have the opportunity to go inside.
Laying outside of the coop
Situation: A few weeks ago, every single hen started laying outside the coop. We have a wildflower meadow in our backyard, so finding the eggs has been a huge challenge. Since I found the first stash (a pile of 15 eggs, ha!), I have not found any more. So I don't even know if they are laying (as of two weeks)!
Suspicions: Is it again a problem with coop size? Is it a habit that just happened one day and now carries on?
What I've done: Put two dummy eggs total in the two nesting boxes. I consistently take eggs as they are laid throughout the day and have never let them build up. I've kept them in a small enclosed run for a little longer each morning. I've "destroyed" nests in the wilderness after discovering the first egg stash.
Scraggly looking
Situation: My usually fat, beautiful girls are looking a bit thin and scruffy. There are many feathers on my property. This concerns me in tandem with the other odd behaviors, but I'm probably overreacting. I can't find any more eggs (could be my searching, could be that they are not laying).
Suspicions: Is this a molt? I thought they were a little young for that.
What I've done: Nothing special, just making sure they have clean food, water, etc. I've inspected their bodies too.
It hurts my heart to think the ladies are unhappy. Is my solution just to build a bigger coop? What other solutions can I implement? Once I build the new coop, how do I break them of the habit of staying outside and laying eggs in the wilderness? Do you think something is stressing them out? I've never seen evidence of predators or even mice, but they can see my cats through the window. I have a dog but he is not often around them nowadays.
Thank you for your time and wisdom!
I have four 9-month-old Buff Orpingtons. They live in a small prefabricated coop (rated for four chickens but I doubt these claims) but free-range all day. I believe it is 2x2 with two roosting bars and nesting boxes (not included in the size). I have installed an automatic coop door. They are on a layer feed with 24/7 access to water, grit, and oyster shell. I have been planning on upgrading their coop, as I think it is too small for them. It is just a project that has been on hold. Within the last two months, the chickens have been displaying unusual behaviors, and I would like to solicit some advice. This is my first flock, and while I have done research into these issues, I would really appreciate some tailored advice.
Staying out at night
Situation: The hens prefer to roost on the roof rather than in the coop. For a few weeks, only one hen stayed out. Now it is occasional but still happens. I have not been able to determine a clear pecking order
My suspicions: Is the coop too small? They were fine with it for a long while. Does the colder weather have anything to do with it?
What I've done: I have taken pains to ensure the coop stays pristinely clean. I have checked and treated for mites (no visible mites found) consistently. I have plans to build a bigger coop. I have made sure that the door isn't closing before they have the opportunity to go inside.
Laying outside of the coop
Situation: A few weeks ago, every single hen started laying outside the coop. We have a wildflower meadow in our backyard, so finding the eggs has been a huge challenge. Since I found the first stash (a pile of 15 eggs, ha!), I have not found any more. So I don't even know if they are laying (as of two weeks)!
Suspicions: Is it again a problem with coop size? Is it a habit that just happened one day and now carries on?
What I've done: Put two dummy eggs total in the two nesting boxes. I consistently take eggs as they are laid throughout the day and have never let them build up. I've kept them in a small enclosed run for a little longer each morning. I've "destroyed" nests in the wilderness after discovering the first egg stash.
Scraggly looking
Situation: My usually fat, beautiful girls are looking a bit thin and scruffy. There are many feathers on my property. This concerns me in tandem with the other odd behaviors, but I'm probably overreacting. I can't find any more eggs (could be my searching, could be that they are not laying).
Suspicions: Is this a molt? I thought they were a little young for that.
What I've done: Nothing special, just making sure they have clean food, water, etc. I've inspected their bodies too.
It hurts my heart to think the ladies are unhappy. Is my solution just to build a bigger coop? What other solutions can I implement? Once I build the new coop, how do I break them of the habit of staying outside and laying eggs in the wilderness? Do you think something is stressing them out? I've never seen evidence of predators or even mice, but they can see my cats through the window. I have a dog but he is not often around them nowadays.
Thank you for your time and wisdom!