Chuckie chicken
Chicken Chucker
Our hens ahve been here for three weeks now. Until 2 nights ago, they all went into the coop at night to roost, since then, 2 or 3 have decided to roost in the run.
In the coop they have 7.5 feet of roost for 8 hens, about 2 feet more than they use. There is one boost hen, so the others give her space and roost at the other end of the coop. They seem comfortable enough. Ventilation is adequate, the inside and outside roosts are similar in height, I haven't measured, but if there's a difference, it's minimal.
Politics doesn't seem to be the driving factor, the lowest girl in the pecking order goes in the coop, and no one is blocking the door or being overly aggressive once they're inside, so I'm guessing it's just a preference.
It's spring here and temperatures are around freezing at night. The run is covered and sheltered from most wind, and is fully covered with ½" hardware cloth, so
I'm not worried about weather or predators at all, I've never closed the pop door into the coop at night.
I'm not worried about them sleeping in the run now, my question is:
Should I allow this habit to form throughout the spring, summer and into the fall? Come November and December they will have to go into the coop to roost, I'm wondering if I should try to nip this in the bud, or just let it slide?
In the coop they have 7.5 feet of roost for 8 hens, about 2 feet more than they use. There is one boost hen, so the others give her space and roost at the other end of the coop. They seem comfortable enough. Ventilation is adequate, the inside and outside roosts are similar in height, I haven't measured, but if there's a difference, it's minimal.
Politics doesn't seem to be the driving factor, the lowest girl in the pecking order goes in the coop, and no one is blocking the door or being overly aggressive once they're inside, so I'm guessing it's just a preference.
It's spring here and temperatures are around freezing at night. The run is covered and sheltered from most wind, and is fully covered with ½" hardware cloth, so
I'm not worried about weather or predators at all, I've never closed the pop door into the coop at night.
I'm not worried about them sleeping in the run now, my question is:
Should I allow this habit to form throughout the spring, summer and into the fall? Come November and December they will have to go into the coop to roost, I'm wondering if I should try to nip this in the bud, or just let it slide?