BDutch's bantam flock & natural breeding projects #5 🪺 🪺 and #6

[BDutch]

Problem, help apreciated!

Every evening there is a lot of quarrelling with the 12 week old chicks and hens when they start to roost. The hens chase the chicks out of the coops/run combi where the chickens can roost safely and don’t get wet.

I think the chicks try to avoid the chasing by the hens in the evening. But they do want to roost inside. The chicks keep on trying even though there is much quarrelling and fuzz. Or they give up and prefer to roost on the branch. Tonight I put chasing Katrientje a while apart to give the chicks a chance to get in coop.

Two days ago I wasn't paying much attention when I locked up the chickens and forgot two chicks. They spend the night out. Tonight I had some difficulties getting one of the Vorwerk pullets back in the coop.

Some chicks seem to prefer to roost on the branch in the run. But they get soaked there in this weather. Thats the main reason why I intervened to be sure they don’t sleep in the run.

The coop gets really crowded with the 6 hens and 9 chicks getting older. And I wonder what would be the best thing to do until a few people come to pick up a few cockerels / buy a few pullets. The ads didn’t work until now. So I expect that this can take a few months before I’m getting there.

Things that crossed my mind:

1. Make a partial roof on top of the run were the branch is. So they don't get soaked.
2. Make a roost under the window (were the chickens take sand baths) or make another construction were they can roost in the run without getting soaked. Not sure if the chicks will like it.
3. Let them roost in the run if they prefer to do so and let them get soaked.
4. Buy another prefab and put the cockerels in there as a separate group. As far away as possible from the hens/pullets.
5. Let the chickens free range more often to keep the stress levels low. Don’t interfere and and let them sort it out for themselves.

 

[ManueB]

I have noticed some strange behaviour with the hens versus the chicks. The hens and especially the ex-broodies Janice and Pearl , don’t allow /don’t like the chicks in the coops to roost. It seems the chicks are expelled from the coop. The chicks don’t eat much in the coop with the small covered run , during the day. While the food in the second run, where the chicks hang out a lot , gets all eaten. I know for sure because the food in the coop barely gets eaten when the hens free range*.

I want the chicks to sleep in the coop, because this is the only place were the chicks are real safe during the night. And if the chicks roost in the run (hwc and netting) they get wet.

If I want the chicks to roost inside the coop I need to go in the run at 21.30 , get them of the roost in the run and wait until the chicks are going through the pop door, into the coop one by one.
If I try this earlier, the older chickens come out to interfere. If I am too late, the auto pop door closes before the chicks go inside.

* The chicks are free ranging from late afternoon til about 9pm. The hens are allowed to free range earlier when we are at home.
I wonder if the acceptance would get better if we let the chicks free range more too. Only problem is that the chicks don’t listen very well to go inside again, in case we need to go somewhere. Its getting better to herd them inside, but we aren’t there yet.

The chicks.
View attachment 3593189

My chicks free range outside my chicken yard, with all the smaller chickens, and yes, they are more easily accepted by the chickens who range with them than by the one they only see in the evening.

To get them in the run I found that it helps getting them first in the place you want to lock them in, then the adults ; otherwise the chicks tend to be afraid of getting in if there is a bully adult at the entrance.

Problem, help apreciated!

Every evening there is a lot of quarrelling with the 12 week old chicks and hens when they start to roost. The hens chase the chicks out of the coops/run combi where the chickens can roost safely and don’t get wet.

I think the chicks try to avoid the chasing by the hens in the evening. But they do want to roost inside. The chicks keep on trying even though there is much quarrelling and fuzz. Or they give up and prefer to roost on the branch. Tonight I put chasing Katrientje a while apart to give the chicks a chance to get in coop.

Two days ago I wasn't paying much attention when I locked up the chickens and forgot two chicks. They spend the night out. Tonight I had some difficulties getting one of the Vorwerk pullets back in the coop.

Some chicks seem to prefer to roost on the branch in the run. But they get soaked there in this weather. Thats the main reason why I intervened to be sure they don’t sleep in the run.

The coop gets really crowded with the 6 hens and 9 chicks getting older. And I wonder what would be the best thing to do until a few people come to pick up a few cockerels / buy a few pullets. The ads didn’t work until now. So I expect that this can take a few months before I’m getting there.

Things that crossed my mind:

1. Make a partial roof on top of the run were the branch is. So they don't get soaked.
2. Make a roost under the window (were the chickens take sand baths) or make another construction were they can roost in the run without getting soaked. Not sure if the chicks will like it.
3. Let them roost in the run if they prefer to do so and let them get soaked.
4. Buy another prefab and put the cockerels in there as a separate group. As far away as possible from the hens/pullets.
5. Let the chickens free range more often to keep the stress levels low. Don’t interfere and and let them sort it out for themselves.

If the coop is overcrowded, it won't get better as the chicks will grow in size. Yes, having them free range together will definitely help them to be included in the flock, but it will not solve the space problem.
I also don't know what your weather is like. Would it get to a point in autumn when there is too much rain to let them roost unsheltered in the run ? How often does it rain ?

Also, I would consider what would be useful to you, once the chicks are gone. Would you have long term use for either a premade coop or another sheltered construction?

I think having a part of your run roofed is something that could be always be useful in the long term, as it allows your chickens to be in the run even if it's raining (which I think happens more often where you live than where I do, and my chickens love the partially roofed run in winter).

 

[MaryJanet]

Problem, help apreciated!

Every evening there is a lot of quarrelling with the 12 week old chicks and hens when they start to roost. The hens chase the chicks out of the coops/run combi where the chickens can roost safely and don’t get wet.

I think the chicks try to avoid the chasing by the hens in the evening. But they do want to roost inside. The chicks keep on trying even though there is much quarrelling and fuzz. Or they give up and prefer to roost on the branch. Tonight I put chasing Katrientje a while apart to give the chicks a chance to get in coop.

Two days ago I wasn't paying much attention when I locked up the chickens and forgot two chicks. They spend the night out. Tonight I had some difficulties getting one of the Vorwerk pullets back in the coop.

Some chicks seem to prefer to roost on the branch in the run. But they get soaked there in this weather. Thats the main reason why I intervened to be sure they don’t sleep in the run.

The coop gets really crowded with the 6 hens and 9 chicks getting older. And I wonder what would be the best thing to do until a few people come to pick up a few cockerels / buy a few pullets. The ads didn’t work until now. So I expect that this can take a few months before I’m getting there.

Things that crossed my mind:

1. Make a partial roof on top of the run were the branch is. So they don't get soaked.
2. Make a roost under the window (were the chickens take sand baths) or make another construction were they can roost in the run without getting soaked. Not sure if the chicks will like it.
3. Let them roost in the run if they prefer to do so and let them get soaked.
4. Buy another prefab and put the cockerels in there as a separate group. As far away as possible from the hens/pullets.
5. Let the chickens free range more often to keep the stress levels low. Don’t interfere and and let them sort it out for themselves.

It's tricky because there are so many variables.

In all roosting problems I've ever had, providing an extra roost/perch/branch has solved it like magic. But the flock expands only a little at a time at my house (the 2023 big flock expansion was very unusual). But you have an overcrowding situation which will last until some of the little ones are rehomed.

I agree with MB that covering part of the run would be a good idea anyway. Shade in summer, dry when it's raining. Maybe that's the most affordable answer?

Maybe the most desirable answer is a second coop in case of broodies/cockerels/injuries/sickness. That's more expensive though. In start up costs and in ongoing maintenance costs.

If you don't have budget constraints, go for the extra coop.

Whatever the budget, 5 is a good idea. 3, not so good. I would not try 3, but I've only been keeping chickens since 2018, so I'm not an expert.

 

[BDutch]

My chicks free range outside my chicken yard, with all the smaller chickens, and yes, they are more easily accepted by the chickens who range with them than by the one they only see in the evening.

To get them in the run I found that it helps getting them first in the place you want to lock them in, then the adults ; otherwise the chicks tend to be afraid of getting in if there is a bully adult at the entrance.

If the coop is overcrowded, it won't get better as the chicks will grow in size. Yes, having them free range together will definitely help them to be included in the flock, but it will not solve the space problem.
I also don't know what your weather is like. Would it get to a point in autumn when there is too much rain to let them roost unsheltered in the run ? How often does it rain ?

Also, I would consider what would be useful to you, once the chicks are gone. Would you have long term use for either a premade coop or another sheltered construction?

I think having a part of your run roofed is something that could be always be useful in the long term, as it allows your chickens to be in the run even if it's raining (which I think happens more often where you live than where I do, and my chickens love the partially roofed run in winter).

Thank you ManueB!
You gave a few good tips/insides.
The coop part were the chicks stay in the night has a small roofed run. This is big enough to stay inside for some time for about 12 chickens
when there is no quarrelling. And in the first open run there is a sandbath /small area with a window in an angle over it were it is dry. There is also a tiny coop in the second smaller run were they can shelter. But they rather get wet then to hide in there.

Our climate is not as wet as it is in England but there are weeks with lots of rain. This week there is a soft rain on and off the whole time. In autumn and winter its not more but colder. And sometimes we have heavy rains as well. I never had tree huggers in winter because probably because its not a nice place to stay when the leaves are falling. .
I know the setup is too small. Thats why I want to give away / sell all the chicks except for 3 bantam hens.

Making a roof would be a temporary solution because I have several bushes in the run for a natural environment with shade and they help to keep the soil in good shape. But I can do that.

Until a few days ago a I was hesitating to let the young ones free range without supervision. This made them a separate group even more (stupid looking back now). But I let them all free range together now.

To lower the stress I will let the chicks and hens free range as much as possible now even without supervision.

Herding the chicks in before the adults every evening will probably be a though enterprise. I always give the chickens scratch inside the run to lure them inside around sunset. At least ½ h before its gets dark. Because if I don’t , then a few hens might prefer to sleep high up in the pear tree or somewhere, where I can’t find them.
Giving scratch lures all chickens, and because its scattered there are no fights. After eating the adults go through the small auto-pop door in the coop to roost and the chicks tend to roost on the branche in the run. Herding the chicks through the small pop door first, is probably an impossibly task.

Giving a temporary sheltered area there/ in the first run, is probably best for now.

I saved the cloth from the party tent when we made the run from the frame. I can ‘throw’ it over the frame, but when a storm is coming up I need to get it off again because the whole run might fall into pieces if the wind goes beneath. This happened all the time with a strong wind when it was actually used as a party tent. Now we glued the frame together but still… Hopefully there are no more storms until most of the chicks found another home. Watering the bushes every week is no problem.

Because of the risk of wind damage I don’t think it’s a great solution. So I wil continue thinking about a better solution.

 

[BDutch]

It's tricky because there are so many variables.

In all roosting problems I've ever had, providing an extra roost/perch/branch has solved it like magic. But the flock expands only a little at a time at my house (the 2023 big flock expansion was very unusual). But you have an overcrowding situation which will last until some of the little ones are rehomed.

I agree with MB that covering part of the run would be a good idea anyway. Shade in summer, dry when it's raining. Maybe that's the most affordable answer?

Maybe the most desirable answer is a second coop in case of broodies/cockerels/injuries/sickness. That's more expensive though. In start up costs and in ongoing maintenance costs.

I made the party tent cover on the run today. The chicks were more quiet as the days before before roosting time. They were all on the branche or walking around in the party-run.
When I checked a little later a few chicks went in the coop /small run to roost with the adult hens. Didn’t see any quarrelling.
But we had an appointment so I didn’t see what happened after that.

If you don't have budget constraints, go for the extra coop.

Whatever the budget, 5 is a good idea. 3, not so good. I would not try 3, but I've only been keeping chickens since 2018, so I'm not an expert.

I discussed to buy another coop to give the chickens permanently a little more space. Also because the laying nests on old coop (12 years old) have become very worn out/bad beyond repair .

I’m not sure what you mean with :

, 5 is a good idea. 3, not so good.

Do you mean keeping 5 chicks? In my situation keeping 3 is better.

 

[MaryJanet]

I made the party tent cover on the run today. The chicks were more quiet as the days before before roosting time. They were all on the branche or walking around in the party-run.
When I checked a little later a few chicks went in the coop /small run to roost with the adult hens. Didn’t see any quarrelling.
But we had an appointment so I didn’t see what happened after that.

View attachment 3596363

View attachment 3596365


I discussed to buy another coop to give the chickens permanently a little more space. Also because the laying nests on old coop (12 years old) have become very worn out/bad beyond repair .

I’m not sure what you mean with :

Do you mean keeping 5 chicks? In my situation keeping 3 is better.

Sorry, I meant idea number 5 and idea number 3 on your list.

There are two coops at my house: a flat-pack in a big run and a big fox-proof coop outside of the run. It's an extremely versatile arrangement and gives the hens a lot of options to work with. I also use a sleep-out which is part of the human house as chicken accommodation if necessary. There are also additional nests in various corners of the garden and in the run, in case anyone is desperate to get her egg laid and can't wait her turn in the favourite nest.

The party tent run cover you put up is a great idea!

 

[BDutch]

Sorry, I meant idea number 5 and idea number 3 on your list.

There are two coops at my house: a flat-pack in a big run and a big fox-proof coop outside of the run. It's an extremely versatile arrangement and gives the hens a lot of options to work with. I also use a sleep-out which is part of the human house as chicken accommodation if necessary. There are also additional nests in various corners of the garden and in the run, in case anyone is desperate to get her egg laid and can't wait her turn in the favourite nest.

The party tent run cover you put up is a great idea!

Thanks for the ideas and advice.

The chicks seem to like the cover. I fear it blows away with a storm. So its not a permanent solution.

If we buy the new coop wich is about the same as the old one, but a little larger, its a permanent improvement. And maybe we can put the old coop inside the run afterwards if we take out one of the bushes. We can take of the damaged laying boxes and add hwc.

 

[MaryJanet]

Thanks for the ideas and advice.

The chicks seem to like the cover. I fear it blows away with a storm. So its not a permanent solution.

If we buy the new coop wich is about the same as the old one, but a little larger, its a permanent improvement. And maybe we can put the old coop inside the run afterwards if we take out one of the bushes. We can take of the damaged laying boxes and add hwc.

Well, at least it will keep the chicks dry when it rains, but I see your point about the wind. The party tent is like a big umbrella and might get lifted by a strong gust of wind.

 

[BDutch]

A-hum.

Guess what I found this evening wen I got out to close the doors to the coop and run.

Glad I checkt on the chickens just before it was getting dark. Because it seems they don’t care if they get wet. Three chicks found a branche in the pear tree to roost. 2,50 m off the ground.
I was just in time to herd them out of the tree and into the coop.

Result:

• 2 hens roosting in the small coop.
• 4 hens and 5 chicks roosting in the extension.
• 3 (hope 4) chicks on the branch in the party run. I hope the missing chick was on ghe branch hiding in the laurel.

Now I start to think it makes no sense to buy or build more covered roost space. The chicks just want higher roosts.

 

[ManueB]

A-hum.

Guess what I found this evening wen I got out to close the doors to the coop and run.

Glad I checkt on the chickens just before it was getting dark. Because it seems they don’t care if they get wet. Three chicks found a branche in the pear tree to roost. 2,50 m off the ground.
I was just in time to herd them out of the tree and into the coop.

Result:

• 2 hens roosting in the small coop.
• 4 hens and 5 chicks roosting in the extension.
• 3 (hope 4) chicks on the branch in the party run. I hope the missing chick was on ghe branch hiding in the laurel.

Now I start to think it makes no sense to buy or build more covered roost space. The chicks just want higher roosts.

Yes, could be just that ! I had that problem with Chipie when she first came in to live with us. I thought she didn't want to sleep in the run when she was in quarantine, then in the coop with the other chickens. In fact the problem was only the height of the roost. She was used to sleeping 3.50m high where she came from.
I think the height makes them feel safe.