I have posted some concerns in another thread, but wanted a bit more opinion.
I have 2 buff orpingtons in a small chicken hut. It not as extravagant as some of the coops we might see here on this forum, buts its really designed as a place to sleep for birds that are allowed to free range during daylight hours.
this little hut was given to me by a free range farmer, its more than 10 years old, built from real wood and built to last. He has kept up to 6 chickens in this little hut and has dozens of the same style dotted around his fields. Bare in mind im based in the uk and dont have quite the same predator problems as you accross the pond.
When I got this hut, I cleaned it and painted it, then added in a small nesting area.
I purchased 2 buff orpingtons, a year old, so full grown. These are fit and healthy birds, one missing a few back feathers from a little too much cock! They have laid 2 eggs each every day I have had them over the last 9 days.
my problem is, they are not using the roost bars, they are sleeping on the floor. I clean out the poop every morning and ad extra shavings if needed. They spend a maximum of 8 hours a day cooped up.
When I got the hut it had no nest box, so I built a small one for them. I have spoken the the fella I got the coop from and he says I should remove it and use a simpler open nest box with no roof and just a 2 inch wall round it, but i dont want them pooping in the boxes.
When the birds are outside, the have a multitude of things the roost on, but they seem to prefer to simply lie on the floor and have an afternoon kip in the dirt.
So, they dont seem bothered, by the coop - they are going in at night now ontheir own and as I keep it pretty clear of poop, they dont spend too long inthier own mess. Should I be worried about the lack of perching?
Heres some pics:
I have 2 buff orpingtons in a small chicken hut. It not as extravagant as some of the coops we might see here on this forum, buts its really designed as a place to sleep for birds that are allowed to free range during daylight hours.
this little hut was given to me by a free range farmer, its more than 10 years old, built from real wood and built to last. He has kept up to 6 chickens in this little hut and has dozens of the same style dotted around his fields. Bare in mind im based in the uk and dont have quite the same predator problems as you accross the pond.
When I got this hut, I cleaned it and painted it, then added in a small nesting area.
I purchased 2 buff orpingtons, a year old, so full grown. These are fit and healthy birds, one missing a few back feathers from a little too much cock! They have laid 2 eggs each every day I have had them over the last 9 days.
my problem is, they are not using the roost bars, they are sleeping on the floor. I clean out the poop every morning and ad extra shavings if needed. They spend a maximum of 8 hours a day cooped up.
When I got the hut it had no nest box, so I built a small one for them. I have spoken the the fella I got the coop from and he says I should remove it and use a simpler open nest box with no roof and just a 2 inch wall round it, but i dont want them pooping in the boxes.
When the birds are outside, the have a multitude of things the roost on, but they seem to prefer to simply lie on the floor and have an afternoon kip in the dirt.
So, they dont seem bothered, by the coop - they are going in at night now ontheir own and as I keep it pretty clear of poop, they dont spend too long inthier own mess. Should I be worried about the lack of perching?
Heres some pics:
