A runt or is there more to it?

[aart]

There is one question I have that no one has really answered for me, can you have roosts above the nesting boxes.

You can...best if nests are covered..... and you want to clean the poop off nest tops.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I am adding one above mine soon, I think. I will put a poop board over my nesting boxes and a roost above that. My nesting boxes are inside the coop... for now...

From what I understand, as long as the roosts are higher than the nesting boxes, all is well. Just keep the poop out of them boxes!

 

[Chickassan]

That is still one irritated swollen b-hole. Can you possibly get some hemmoroid cream or monkey butt cream like they sell for babies and treat that booty? The poo has made it pretty angry and it will be easier to see the bigger picture if you can get the doughnut down to a cheerio.

So, I gave it a good cleaning...she took it really well too.
Thoughts?
View attachment 1628269
View attachment 1628272
View attachment 1628273

 

[Buckeye2002]

You can...best if nests are covered..... and you want to clean the poop off nest tops.

Here is the new position of my nesting boxes. I have already removed the roosts from the fronts. I can put a slope to the top of them pretty easily.

 

[aart]

I can put a slope to the top of them pretty easily.

Remember the roosts should be about 12" away from the wall.
A poop board might be better than sloped tops, you don't really want them walking thru poop piles on their way into the nests.

 

[Buckeye2002]

Install my poop boards right above the nesting boxes? That will be a ceiling to the boxes of about 13-14" and a width of about 32" and a length of 60", is that enough for the hens to get to the boxes? I plan then to put roosting boards (across the width of the coop as are the ones at the other end) above the poop board.
Thoughts?

 

[aart]

Install my poop boards right above the nesting boxes? That will be a ceiling to the boxes of about 13-14" and a width of about 32" and a length of 60", is that enough for the hens to get to the boxes? I plan then to put roosting boards (across the width of the coop as are the ones at the other end) above the poop board.
Thoughts?

Nests already have a 'ceiling'.
You could open top of nests and put poop board about 16-18" above floor.
Poop board can be 24" deep with a single roost centered and about 8" above the board.

 

[Buckeye2002]

Rooster or Hen?

 

[aart]

I think we determined long ago you had a couple cockerels?
Was obvious at about 6 weeks.

 

[Buckeye2002]

Did we...hell, I have 22 chicks and I can't tell.