springchicken81
Chirping
Our small flock is 18 weeks old and has been reliably going into the coop at night since week 6. We have an automatic door, and all six head into the coop at least 30 mins or so before the door closes. Like clockwork...it's wonderful! Our coop has three nesting boxes that we had filled with rocks up until now so the chicks knew not to sleep or poop in those areas. Now that we nearing laying age, we took out the rocks and put down nesting pads made of straw, hoping to make them cozy and inviting. Since the change, the chickens are not going into the coop at night anymore. For the second night in a row, we had to put them in and close the door behind them.
Are they scared of the nesting boxes? Did we do something wrong by keeping the boxes off limits until now? After a few nights will they start going in the coop on their own again? Should we cover the straw pads with pine shavings (like the rest of their coop)? Should we put the rocks back in?
Any advice would be super helpful!
Thanks!
Are they scared of the nesting boxes? Did we do something wrong by keeping the boxes off limits until now? After a few nights will they start going in the coop on their own again? Should we cover the straw pads with pine shavings (like the rest of their coop)? Should we put the rocks back in?
Any advice would be super helpful!
Thanks!