Chickens piling on top of each other

[Amyloumomof2]

Thank you, I had no idea. I already let them out today, but will get some greens to hang and lock them up tonight. I'm new to this and even though I feel like I have done a lot of research, I sometimes feel clueless!!

 

[WVDoug]

Yes, I agree with PhatChicks; you have to keep them in the coop for a week or so until they get used to it being home.
My raised coop is in the barn. I kept them in there for almost a week, then opened the hatch in the floor and put in a ramp so they could access the run below.
After another week or so let them out into the run in during the day.

 

[PhatChicks]

I was worried too in the beginning and kept bugging the Manager at TSC store. I didn't know they had to be locked in there. All the blogs I read just said, "your chickens will roost at night". but no one said HOW to get them to roost! I never would have thought about locking them in all day for a week until someone on BYC and the TSC Manager told me too. Then it made sense that the coop was just a scary place and they needed to relax and get used to it before me chucking them in there, which I had to do until I figured out the locking-in thing.

I don't know how big your coop is or how you get inside but be prepared for them to rush the door after the first day or so. Mine knew when I was coming out in the morning to change their water and check on their feed and they all rushed for the door trying to escape. I had to hold them off with a rake and be quick with my chores. It was great to finally let them out after the week. They were SUPER excited! I also used that time to finish getting my run ready.

I'm a new chicken owner too and every is a learning curve. Something I have to constantly remind myself is that everyone's chickens are different and what works for one chicken, doesn't always work for others. Here is a pic of my girls enjoying an evening salad bar.

 

[autumnhearth]

I was worried too in the beginning and kept bugging the Manager at TSC store. I didn't know they had to be locked in there. All the blogs I read just said, "your chickens will roost at night". but no one said HOW to get them to roost! I never would have thought about locking them in all day for a week until someone on BYC and the TSC Manager told me too. Then it made sense that the coop was just a scary place and they needed to relax and get used to it before me chucking them in there, which I had to do until I figured out the locking-in thing.

I don't know how big your coop is or how you get inside but be prepared for them to rush the door after the first day or so. Mine knew when I was coming out in the morning to change their water and check on their feed and they all rushed for the door trying to escape. I had to hold them off with a rake and be quick with my chores. It was great to finally let them out after the week. They were SUPER excited! I also used that time to finish getting my run ready.

I'm a new chicken owner too and every is a learning curve. Something I have to constantly remind myself is that everyone's chickens are different and what works for one chicken, doesn't always work for others. Here is a pic of my girls enjoying an evening salad bar.

It certainly is a learning curve. My favorite blogs with more complete info on chicken raising are Fresh Eggs Daily and The Chicken Chick. Aww you have all Amelias and Claras, just kidding this is our Clara and Amelia:

 

[Amyloumomof2]

I want to thank you all for your advice. We had a semi-cool week this past week and I kept the girls inside their shed. They started using their roost a couple nights in. We let them out in their run for the first time in a week this morning. I turned a low wattage light bulb on before it got dark (I need to get more windows in their shed), and went out with my son fully prepared to chase a few in. They were all in!!! AND all but 1 of the 14 were on the top roost. The bottom one was empty, but that's okay, because in a month or so 4 of them are going to their real home (I am raising 4 chicks for a friend who has her own full grown girls, but no brooder) and there will be room for all my girls on the top. So thank you for lowering my stress and worry!!! Hopefully they keep at it!!

Thank you again!

 

[PhatChicks]

That's exactly how it's supposed to happen! Good job!

 

[BobDBirdDog]

Since you have not mentioned any deaths........this is just as a thought for consideration.
Maybe a predator could be pushing them into a corner or posting a keep out sign. I once had a mink that was sneaking in and cornering the chickens at roost, biting the neck and sucking the blood. Before that the mink was circling the coop and biting through the fencing while they were grounded. Lastly, While older chickens will attack a smaller snake, they will also wary from a larger one.

Bob

 

[BobDBirdDog]

One last thought, They may be cold....try putting a light above the roost.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Young chicks pilling on top of each other is a sure sign of them being cold. Years ago I saw a neighbor lose a whole house of young chicks when the power went out during an ice storm and his emergency generator failed to start. The biddies piled up several feet deep. Needless to say, those on the bottom suffocated.

Older chicks sometimes have issues sorting out the pecking order, in that case when you come home you'll find both males and females laying in a heap with bloody heads.

 

[TONYA1244]

They have not been roosting at all. 6 are almost 3 months old and 4 are 2 1/2 months. I'm trying to research it as I'm new to the chicken thing. Saying some prayers and hoping I'm being paranoid!

Hi iam Tonya . New in the chicken world, my chickens are doing the same thing. I even had to pull my hen from them she was going balled as well from them picking on her. Now I have another one getting picked on as well. Is the bottom one getting hurt?? PLEASE HELP