Estrella
Chirping
Hi, I know there are a few threads here already discussing this subject, but they all seem to be about young chickens.
Let me introduce my flock as this could be part of the problem; I have six Swedish Flower Hens, 1 dominant rooster + 3 hens (1 1/2 yr old) and two hens that are only 5 months old. They tend to stick toghether. I also have three 6 mo old English Buffs, 1 rooster and 2 ladies, and they are mostly their own little flock. Our coop and run are custom built and predator proof with hardware cloth dug deep in the ground, hardware cloth + a tin roof and 2 x automatic doors; one on the run and one on the coop. They all free range during the day. In winter we cover the sides of the entire run with transparent water proof tarp.
My problem is that my Buffs just won’t go in the coop, ever. There’s plenty of roosting space in there for them, but they only roost in the run, as high up as they can get, about 4 feet from the ground. They have several heights to choose from but this is what they prefer. Which is fine, for now, but as I live in Sweden, where we (usually) get long and cold winters, this could be a problem, as the coop is much warmer. Not so much for their bodies as they are huge and very fluffy, but I worry for their combs.
I have recently re-homed seven Buff Orpington roos, and before I sold them, they all slept together with their ”siblings” in our run. Now they all sleep in their new coops with their new flock, top roost.
My question to all you experienced chicken owners out there is; have anyone had the same problem? Will they go in the coop once it’s really cold? Or it it a rooster problem? Will my Buff rooster (Spencer) simply not go in there as it’s concidered my Swedish Flower Hen roosters (Abdullah) territory?
Another problem may also be when my Buff ladies (Flo and Poppy) start laying, which would be any day now - as the nest boxes are in the coop...
Any wise thought are greatly appreciated!
Let me introduce my flock as this could be part of the problem; I have six Swedish Flower Hens, 1 dominant rooster + 3 hens (1 1/2 yr old) and two hens that are only 5 months old. They tend to stick toghether. I also have three 6 mo old English Buffs, 1 rooster and 2 ladies, and they are mostly their own little flock. Our coop and run are custom built and predator proof with hardware cloth dug deep in the ground, hardware cloth + a tin roof and 2 x automatic doors; one on the run and one on the coop. They all free range during the day. In winter we cover the sides of the entire run with transparent water proof tarp.
My problem is that my Buffs just won’t go in the coop, ever. There’s plenty of roosting space in there for them, but they only roost in the run, as high up as they can get, about 4 feet from the ground. They have several heights to choose from but this is what they prefer. Which is fine, for now, but as I live in Sweden, where we (usually) get long and cold winters, this could be a problem, as the coop is much warmer. Not so much for their bodies as they are huge and very fluffy, but I worry for their combs.
I have recently re-homed seven Buff Orpington roos, and before I sold them, they all slept together with their ”siblings” in our run. Now they all sleep in their new coops with their new flock, top roost.
My question to all you experienced chicken owners out there is; have anyone had the same problem? Will they go in the coop once it’s really cold? Or it it a rooster problem? Will my Buff rooster (Spencer) simply not go in there as it’s concidered my Swedish Flower Hen roosters (Abdullah) territory?
Another problem may also be when my Buff ladies (Flo and Poppy) start laying, which would be any day now - as the nest boxes are in the coop...
Any wise thought are greatly appreciated!