Cloudy Days in the Coop - My Adventures with Chickens.

[PioneerChicks]

Thank you, TwoCrows! Sorry for the wait. I’m not used to that much wind in these parts, so 25 MPH was pretty windy in my area. It took me a long time because I had to keep going inside when I felt it was unsafe. I also was narrowly missed by approximately a 4 foot long branch that fell down. I was about a foot away from it. Uploading pictures...

Similar thing happened to me once. Scary! Glad you are safe!

 

[TwoCrows]

Thank you, TwoCrows! Sorry for the wait. I’m not used to that much wind in these parts, so 25 MPH was pretty windy in my area. It took me a long time because I had to keep going inside when I felt it was unsafe. I also was narrowly missed by approximately a 4 foot long branch that fell down. I was about a foot away from it. Uploading pictures...

Oh no, please be safe out there Starburst, falling branches are dangerous!

 

[Starburst]

It's hard to tell, but this is the 4 foot branch that almost hit me.
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Boba decided that since she couldn't be in the nesting boxes, she’d go broody on the dirt in the run. This is where I ask - why?!

I didn’t let the chickens out to free-range for long, as I didn't fancy the idea of my chickens being squashed by branches. However, I let them out for a bit, and when I called them over to have a little scratch, they were very excited, as you can see.

 

[TwoCrows]

It's hard to tell, but this is the 4 foot branch that almost hit me.
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Boba decided that since she couldn't be in the nesting boxes, she’d go broody on the dirt in the run. This is where I ask - why?!
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I didn’t let the chickens out to free-range for long, as I didn't fancy the idea of my chickens being squashed by branches. However, I let them out for a bit, and when I called them over to have a little scratch, they were very excited, as you can see.
View attachment 2372250
View attachment 2372252
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That's a big branch Starburst, I am glad you are ok!

Aww...sweet Boba, she is ADORABLE! All you see is fluff and a beak.

In can tell from here how much your birds love you!! Precious flock you have!!

 

[Starburst]

Oh no, please be safe out there Starburst, falling branches are dangerous!

I was quite frightened after that occurrence, especially because of the size, I knew it could seriously injure me. Needless to say, I went inside after that. Thanks for looking out for me!

 

[TwoCrows]

I was quite frightened after that occurrence, especially because of the size, I knew it could seriously injure me. Needless to say, I went inside after that. Thanks for looking out for me!

Definitely stay inside until the wind passes, I don't want you to get hurt!!

 

[Starburst]

Definitely stay inside until the wind passes, I don't want you to get hurt!!

I definitely will, TwoCrows!

 

[Fontaine]

These aren't lights in my coop. However you are correct in that a coop should be completely dark at night for good health of the chickens. Any light at all can not only disturb their sleep cycle but can cause hormonal changes which are not healthy.

Roost bars shouldn't be all that high. Mine are only about 15 inches off the floor. As long as the birds are off the floor, all is good. Jumping down from high roosts will injure/sprain their legs and joints, bodies, frost bite is more common with higher roost bars. Set your bars so they can hop up from the floor. You may need to physically move them around on the bars to find out who sleeps best next to who to minimize the bickering at roosting time.

I wish I’d done more homework before I ordered this coop. The only thing. I was aware of at the time was provide ample space for the chickens and provide plenty of ventilation.( we live in s. Florida) .you are right, the roosts are too high.( about 3 1/2 ft) with 2 sets of stairs. Also the stairs have become my poop boards ! Not easy to clean. It will be hard to figure out how to lower them but i’m Going to try. There is just empty space under the stairs which is open to the “ sun room “. They would not be” tucked in” below as it’s mostly hardware cloth except for the wood roost area above. Will they feel secure if something looks in screen? Up high they are hidden. We have predator proofed the coop plus an electric fence around their outside yard.. I will try to get an inside photo tomorrow. This coop was expensive so I have to work with it. My girls ( 13) are 12 weeks. Will they eventually pick a certain spot to roost? I go “ tuck them in and have to leave with all the pushing and pecking.? Very upsetting. During the day they get along very well. I can not yet tell who is going to be the boss! Thanks so much. I wish I had known about by before!

 

[TwoCrows]

I wish I’d done more homework before I ordered this coop. The only thing. I was aware of at the time was provide ample space for the chickens and provide plenty of ventilation.( we live in s. Florida) .you are right, the roosts are too high.( about 3 1/2 ft) with 2 sets of stairs. Also the stairs have become my poop boards ! Not easy to clean. It will be hard to figure out how to lower them but i’m Going to try. There is just empty space under the stairs which is open to the “ sun room “. They would not be” tucked in” below as it’s mostly hardware cloth except for the wood roost area above. Will they feel secure if something looks in screen? Up high they are hidden. We have predator proofed the coop plus an electric fence around their outside yard.. I will try to get an inside photo tomorrow. This coop was expensive so I have to work with it. My girls ( 13) are 12 weeks. Will they eventually pick a certain spot to roost? I go “ tuck them in and have to leave with all the pushing and pecking.? Very upsetting. During the day they get along very well. I can not yet tell who is going to be the boss! Thanks so much. I wish I had known about by before!

Unfortunately chickens don't come with a manual. We all had to learn from our mistakes, my first coop was way too small and had the worst trouble with frost bite. They hated the coop and I had the hardest time rounding them up to get inside.

Lots of chickens fuss on the bar at night. I try to find who likes who and try and space them out before I turn the lights out. They quiet down quick in the dark.

Definitely lower your bars if you can. I have a low window too and I just don't leave it open in case predators do look inside which would definitely scare them.

You will learn as you go and make the adjustments needed. It can take years to get the perfect set up!

 

[Fontaine]

Unfortunately chickens don't come with a manual. We all had to learn from our mistakes, my first coop was way too small and had the worst trouble with frost bite. They hated the coop and I had the hardest time rounding them up to get inside.

Lots of chickens fuss on the bar at night. I try to find who likes who and try and space them out before I turn the lights out. They quiet down quick in the dark.

Definitely lower your bars if you can. I have a low window too and I just don't leave it open in case predators do look inside which would definitely scare them.

You will learn as you go and make the adjustments needed. It can take years to get the perfect set up!

Thanks for the encouragement ! I measured the coop and we can lower the bars to 22” off floor. . At this level only their tails will be visible to outside. They can still use one set of stairs for the bigger birds if they want.