Breed and sex?

[QueenBean]

Hi all! I have some young chickens (about 10ish weeks old) that we have integrated with our big hens. They share a run well and the little guys are learning the pecking order. However, every night the Littles go to sleep on the top of the coop..... instead of inside. And every night we move them into the coop. When we did this still in daylight they got a peck or two from the big hens but when it's dark - nothing. I'm at a loss for how to get them to go into the coop on their own. [Edited to add I just tried again when a little light out and one of the big hens gave a good peck that sent the Littles running.]

Also, I have one chicken out of our recent 6 that I'm worried might be a rooster? Any tips on how to tell? At the very least it does not look like the other ameraucana and I was told it was an ameraucana.

I've attached some reference photos of the coop and the chicks. The chick that is black with red back and whiteish belly is the one in question. It's a little aggressive at times with the other chicks - nothing too intense.

 

[sourland]

The bird you question is an Easter Egger cockerel. How much space is there in that coop?

 

[QueenBean]

The bird you question is an Easter Egger cockerel. How much space is there in that coop?

Damn... they were supposed to be sexed. No roosters. The coop itself is fairly small. It's the largest eglu coop. But their run is quite large. The coop states it should fit this many. I just tried to place one of the chicks at the door of the coop and one of my hens came over and gave it a pretty good peck so I guess they are understandably scared.

 

[sourland]

What sort of winters do you have? If birds are confined to that coop in the winter, problems will ensue.

 

[WIchickMama]

Likely not enough room. Take what they say fits and divide by at least half

 

[QueenBean]

What sort of winters do you have? If birds are confined to that coop in the winter, problems

What sort of winters do you have? If birds are confined to that coop in the winter, problems will ensue.

I'm in Pennsylvania so it does get cold but my hens have always been out and about in the run during the day.

 

[QueenBean]

I'm in Pennsylvania so it does get cold but my hens have always been out and about in the run during the day.

And I have a much larger run. Not the small one shown in the picture.

 

[SueT]

How many chickens altogether? The rule of thumb is about 4 sq ft per large breed chicken, in the coop. Chickens that were raised together might be able to squeeze in a smaller area, but adding new birds would be challenging.....

 

[QueenBean]

Likely not enough room. Take what they say fits and divide by at least half

Damn. I had kind of assumed that since they only sleep in there it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[QueenBean]

How many chickens altogether? The rule of thumb is about 4 sq ft per large breed chicken, in the coop. Chickens that were raised together might be able to squeeze in a smaller area, but adding new birds would be challenging.....

So I have 2 of my old adult hens left. But there are 6 babies. The coop had said up to 10 so I figured 8 would be okay since they only seem to sleep in there and are in the run during the day. Guess not. I originally had 5 grown hens that did well in there together.