2018 Newbie Chat!

[CannedMonster]

The past 3 nights my 5 1/2 week old chicks have settled down for the night bunched together in a corner. The corner they picked is right in front of the door, I don't have a door that closes so they're right in the draft. I've been moving them back under the MHP and I raised it up in case they were too warm. Diamond still is not fully feathered. They do remain under it the rest of the night. Tonight I blocked that corner with their food and water. So they settled for night right in the doorway. I moved them again, it's raining and cold out.
Is this something anyone else has encountered? Should I keep moving them to the MHP or should I move them to a different corner even though Diamond isn't feathered?

Mine did that also.
They like to stay in the doorway because then they get every last bit of light.
Going into a coop is actually unnatural for them.
It’s a dark cave-like place.
The last sort of place a vulnerable chicken wants to roost.
Normally they would go up into trees and such.
As humans we understand that a coop is safe for them but they don’t.
Diamond is probably being warmed by her hatch mates.

 

[CannedMonster]

So I think one of the younger ones laid an egg. I can't be sure though. Yesterday I found an egg on tbe activity center, which made 3, but not sure when it got there. Today 2 eggs, but usually they are in same nest box and they were not. So I am watching for 3 eggs in the next couple days.

So I'm thinking some dynamics will change. I was trying to open one of the feeders today and I believe Prince flogged me--it happened fast and there was no injury. I looked at him and said in a stern voice oh no you didn't. I swear I never saw a rooster move so fast go get away. I picked up a board and I walked around with it scooting him out of my way, way out of my way. After 5 minutes he was in the corner peaking at me. I actually had a conversation with him--I told him he better hide and he better never try that again. So hopefully it was a one time thing. I think that I'm going to start carrying him around everyday for a few minutes to get my point across. I can not have him go bad--I care to much.

He’s testing you.
Keep doing what you’re doing and be confident and calm and you’ll be fine.
The fact that he’s retreating from you is good.
Watch for wing dropping and side-stepping.
Also watch when your back is turned.
Angus hasn’t tried anything with me in a very long time. Only DH and that has hopefully been resolved also.

 

[CannedMonster]

Don't know if you'll see this but Roo is back indoors with us. We had two great nights without a hitch then tonight all went bad. For what ever reason Lilah decided she wants to sleep in the nest box too. I have no idea what happened as we had already shut and covered their hutch and had locked the run, all I know is I heard a commotion, heard a hen clucking profusely and Roo screaming her head off, and it went on for ages. I panicked trying to get the run key out of my pocket and kept dropping it, but when I did finally get in and I uncovered their hutch to find Jellybean panicking and clucking her head off in the main area with Roo behind her running back and forth screaming her head off, Lilah in the nesting area bedded down for sleep slightly behind Pedro (which was where Jellybean was sleeping when I closed their doors).
I don't know if anyone attacked or got pecked, I don't know if Lilah kicked out Jellybean from the area or if Jellybean freaked out at seeing Lilah enter and ran into the main area where Roo was and I don't know why Roo didn't go in with Lilah or whether she tried and got chased out, nor do I know if Roo got attacked or was just freaked out by Jellybean being there and no Lilah. I feel so sorry for Jellybean who has slept with Pedro since she was one week old and is now in the main area on her own.
I now things would have settled eventually but the noise they were making was so loud and so intense, I can't risk another noise complaint.
Tomorrow we will be putting the last coat of paint on the new coup, we hope to have it up and running by monday, if not tuesday, but how on earth the hens will react to having to sleep together in the same area I just don't know, but it is worrying me half to death.

The way to stop them from sleeping (and pooping) in the nest boxes is to block them off.
Remove whatever you’re using to block them in the morning so they can lay eggs in them.
Then put it back before they go to roost.
It’s a bad habit and should be discouraged because the eggs can get poop on them.
Plus adult chickens roost and are usually shown how by their mother.
Take control of the situation and they will get used to it.
I hope the roosts in your new coop are higher than the nest boxes.
In a lot of prefab/prebuilt coops this is a problem.
The roosts in my prefab are at the same level as the nest boxes and I have the same problem.
I block them off with cardboard that I cut to fit from boxes that I had.
I’ve since removed the cardboard when Pippin started laying eggs but now the 4 non-Cochin ones are sleeping in them again.
It’s normal for the dominant bird to take the best spot.
You really don’t need all of them to start doing that so you need to be the dominant one.
Don’t let them run your life lol.
Regardless of how much noise they may make they’re not hurt.
They’re chickens- they’re noisy.
Why is there a lock on your coop?

You’re absolutely right about acclimation to the outside temps and weather.
I hadn’t even thought of that but it’s best to let them get used to that especially if it does get cold suddenly.

If you feel more comfortable wait until the new coop is ready.
And get something to block ALL the nest boxes now before they move in there.
It’ll be a clean slate for everyone.
All four go in and all four roost.
There will be an adjustment period!
Your chickens are not mean.
They won’t kill each other no matter how loud things get.
opening the coop to see what the problem is would be fine but don’t cave and let them do what they want.
You manage the chickens; the chickens don’t manage you lol.

 

[llombardo]

He’s testing you.
Keep doing what you’re doing and be confident and calm and you’ll be fine.
The fact that he’s retreating from you is good.
Watch for wing dropping and side-stepping.
Also watch when your back is turned.
Angus hasn’t tried anything with me in a very long time. Only DH and that has hopefully been resolved also.

I noticed that his feet wee more pinkish, so I did a little research. I found that there are a couple things it could be and by deduction I think I got a better idea and it's along the lines of what I thought.

1. Scald
2. Winter Heat Transference
3. Breed
4. Hormone Surge

I have ruled out the first three, but number 4 makes sense. I know the dynamics are changing because the younger ones are right at point of lay which means more mating for him and his age(7 months) is right.

I'm not making excuses but I am the type that needs to know why. Of course I will watch him and keep on top of it, but I also think these boys are very misunderstood and way to disposable. I don't think the timing is a coincendence. I think it's actually a good thing to learn why they do what they do instead of jumping to aggression.

Now I have to make him understand that I do not want to mate with the girls-they are all his..lol

 

[No More Empty Nest]

Mine did that also.
They like to stay in the doorway because then they get every last bit of light.
Going into a coop is actually unnatural for them.
It’s a dark cave-like place.
The last sort of place a vulnerable chicken wants to roost.
Normally they would go up into trees and such.
As humans we understand that a coop is safe for them but they don’t.
Diamond is probably being warmed by her hatch mates.

I think you are 100% right. Last night I left the door open because they had roosted the night before. They once again slept by the door. When the door is closed, the lightest part of the coop is right by the roost. I'm just going to have to go out there and close them in each night before they fall asleep, at least for a while, hopefully not too long, lol. Diamond has also been growing feathers at a rapid rate thanks to the cold.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

The way to stop them from sleeping (and pooping) in the nest boxes is to block them off.
Remove whatever you’re using to block them in the morning so they can lay eggs in them.
Then put it back before they go to roost.
It’s a bad habit and should be discouraged because the eggs can get poop on them.
Plus adult chickens roost and are usually shown how by their mother.
Take control of the situation and they will get used to it.
I hope the roosts in your new coop are higher than the nest boxes.
In a lot of prefab/prebuilt coops this is a problem.
The roosts in my prefab are at the same level as the nest boxes and I have the same problem.
I block them off with cardboard that I cut to fit from boxes that I had.
I’ve since removed the cardboard when Pippin started laying eggs but now the 4 non-Cochin ones are sleeping in them again.
It’s normal for the dominant bird to take the best spot.
You really don’t need all of them to start doing that so you need to be the dominant one.
Don’t let them run your life lol.
Regardless of how much noise they may make they’re not hurt.
They’re chickens- they’re noisy.
Why is there a lock on your coop?

You’re absolutely right about acclimation to the outside temps and weather.
I hadn’t even thought of that but it’s best to let them get used to that especially if it does get cold suddenly.

If you feel more comfortable wait until the new coop is ready.
And get something to block ALL the nest boxes now before they move in there.
It’ll be a clean slate for everyone.
All four go in and all four roost.
There will be an adjustment period!
Your chickens are not mean.
They won’t kill each other no matter how loud things get.
opening the coop to see what the problem is would be fine but don’t cave and let them do what they want.
You manage the chickens; the chickens don’t manage you lol.

Thank you, as always this is very good advice.
The lock is on the run door not on the hutch - I have it to keep my birds safe at night and any time no one is home - I had a friend lost some chickens to a fox (or foxes?) which managed to work open the latch and a bolt on her coop and opened the door. Predator proof/predator resistant latches and bolts are so expensive over here so to keep the cost down but security at the highest we have two hasp and staples (one on top of door, one on bottom) which are padlocked and we have a brenton bolt in the center of the door.
We haven't yet put the new coop together because I wanted it all painted first to make sure we got into all the nooks and crannies, so I don't yet know if the nests are the same level but judging by the picture, I think the nests are higher than the roosts.
I don't have a problem with poop on eggs because between cleaning out and completely changing the bedding (which I do twice a week) I poop pick every morning as soon as I let them out - I do the whole hutch ducks area as well - I use a poop scoop which works by letting all the unsoiled bedding fall through the slots and the soiled and wet bedding along with poop stays on the scoop, then I replenish as needed, so they always have a clean bed to go into.
We won't be using the roost bars provided because they are very slim, - so we are going to buy some 2 x 4's and make the roost bars ourselves, do you think that is the right size?. Our aim is to have them sleeping in it by Tuesday night, will post a pic when coop is done

 

[Geranium]

@Anna Ranieri Could you use a caribeaner clip through the lock spot? Instead of s lock with a key? That's what we use on our gates.

 

[Geranium]

Coop is coming along, but it will be another week before it's done, and the chickens are outgrowing their brooder, so I set up their little caged play area to be their mini coop. Planning to let them in there for the days, and then at dusk put them in their brooder to sleep. And i'm going to put their brooder on the covered patio outside to sleep so they can start acclimating.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

@Anna Ranieri Could you use a caribeaner clip through the lock spot? Instead of s lock with a key? That's what we use on our gates.

That's a brilliant idea! I'd never of thought of that - I'll certainly look into it - thank you

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Coop is coming along, but it will be another week before it's done, and the chickens are outgrowing their brooder, so I set up their little caged play area to be their mini coop. Planning to let them in there for the days, and then at dusk put them in their brooder to sleep. And i'm going to put their brooder on the covered patio outside to sleep so they can start acclimating. View attachment 1548121

This is looking lovely, can't wait to see the end result, I bet it will be fantastic.
Great idea to use their little play area as a coop and sleeping them on the patio, they are going to love their new coop when it is finished - so impressive