Chicks’ first night in the Eglu

[ksato003]

First night in the coop, here we go!

Here’s a pic of them settling into the Omlet Eglu Cube. I’ve got a coop cam in there bc I’m a nervous chicken mama Their food and water is in there for now as they adjust to their new surroundings.

They had a few slip and slide moments getting used to the bars, but less than an hour in there and boom. Tucked in for the night and asleep!

best of all… they are out of the garage brooder. Hall-le-LOO

 

[N F C]

That's a milestone when they leave the brooder for the coop!

Are the bars smooth and slippery? I've never seen an Omlet Eglu interior.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Since they are chicks, you might want to fill the bottom up with shavings up and over those bars. They don't need to roost yet. And the bars are plastic - so if they slip it could cause issues like splay leg.

Pretty cool that you installed a camera inside the coop.

 

[ksato003]

That's a milestone when they leave the brooder for the coop!

Are the bars smooth and slippery? I've never seen an Omlet Eglu interior.

That's a milestone when they leave the brooder for the coop!

Are the bars smooth and slippery? I've never seen an Omlet Eglu interior.

A bit, but it doesn’t really seem to be a problem. They are learning to roost, and I think it’s the spacing between the bars (compared to the solid brooder floor) they are adjusting to. I’ve since put a piece of cardboard covering 1/3 of the floor to help them adjust but I’m hoping they take to the bars bc it makes it easy to clean. I also have a chick roost I could move in there but they never really used that either.

 

[ksato003]

Since they are chicks, you might want to fill the bottom up with shavings up and over those bars. They don't need to roost yet. And the bars are plastic - so if they slip it could cause issues like splay leg.

Pretty cool that you installed a camera inside the coop.

What age do you think they start roosting? These guys are about 5 weeks

 

[Crazy Maizie]

What age do you think they start roosting? These guys are about 5 weeks

I read your previous comment above as well. They can slip on cardboard too. No chicken has to be taught to roost unless there is an issue with it.
The eglu coop doesn't have a true roost (up high), so I really wouldn't worry about them learning to roost. But until they can get around the bars without fear of slipping off and get the hang of it, I would put thicker shavings in since you mentioned they slipped - which you don't want to happen since it can cause splay legs and/or worse injuries.

 

[ksato003]

I read your previous comment above as well. They can slip on cardboard too. No chicken has to be taught to roost unless there is an issue with it.
The eglu coop doesn't have a true roost (up high), so I really wouldn't worry about them learning to roost. But until they can get around the bars without fear of slipping off and get the hang of it, I would put thicker shavings in since you mentioned they slipped - which you don't want to happen since it can cause splay legs and/or worse injuries.

Cool, thanks for your experienced insights!

 

[ksato003]

I read your previous comment above as well. They can slip on cardboard too. No chicken has to be taught to roost unless there is an issue with it.
The eglu coop doesn't have a true roost (up high), so I really wouldn't worry about them learning to roost. But until they can get around the bars without fear of slipping off and get the hang of it, I would put thicker shavings in since you mentioned they slipped - which you don't want to happen since it can cause splay legs and/or worse injuries.

Update: 2/4 of the chicks are roosting on the chick roost I put in the Eglu. My Orpingtons are still nesting in the pine shavings. Should I put the roost bar floor back in? Wait a few days to see if they all take to the chick roost? They can all fit up there but it’s snug. @Crazy Maizie

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Update: 2/4 of the chicks are roosting on the chick roost I put in the Eglu. My Orpingtons are still nesting in the pine shavings. Should I put the roost bar floor back in? Wait a few days to see if they all take to the chick roost? They can all fit up there but it’s snug. @Crazy Maizie

Nah. If they want up there they will get up there. I currently have some polish that aren't fully roosting and they are 8-9 weeks old. You can always have the eglu roost bars in, I just suggested there be a covering of pine shavings to help prevent slipping.

What's funny was all I could see at first was fluffy chickens in the pine shavings. I didn't see the 2 on the roost bar.

 

[ksato003]

Nah. If they want up there they will get up there. I currently have some polish that aren't fully roosting and they are 8-9 weeks old. You can always have the eglu roost bars in, I just suggested there be a covering of pine shavings to help prevent slipping.

What's funny was all I could see at first was fluffy chickens in the pine shavings. I didn't see the 2 on the roost bar.

Yes the Fluffy butts do take up a lot of real estate from that perspective and thank you!