Couple chick questions/ issues -- 7 wk olds

[srd5757]

I have two hens and 4 7 wk old chicks. Last week I started putting the chicks in the coop overnight with the hens. They have a panic room if then need it. Issue is: Instead of using the roosts in the coop the chicks are starting to roost on the side of the nest box and pooping in it. Uggg.... Anyone have any ideas as to how to stop them from doing that???

Second question. Yesterday my son was trying to catch one of the chicks and chasing it. Son is 3. He stepping on the chick's foot or leg accidentally. Upon looking at it everything appears ok and chick doesn't seem to be in pain when I touch it, but he's still limping a bit today. Any ideas? Should I do anything? Think it'll be ok?

 

[sumi]

You are going to have to wait until it's dark and remove the chicks from their perch and put them where you want them to roost. Hopefully they will get the hint.
My son stepped on a chick so bad it had blood coming out of it's beak and eyes. It recovered within a few hours. It's now an almost fully grown roo called "Lucky". So don't worry! It's leg's probably just a bit sore. These little things recover from brain injuries. They are tough!

 

[GSDBESTK9]

I have two hens and 4 7 wk old chicks. Last week I started putting the chicks in the coop overnight with the hens. They have a panic room if then need it. Issue is: Instead of using the roosts in the coop the chicks are starting to roost on the side of the nest box and pooping in it. Uggg.... Anyone have any ideas as to how to stop them from doing that???

Mine are doing the exact same thing. All 6 Red Sex Links in one nesting box and all 6 Barred Rocks in another nesting box, mind you there are 4 nesting boxes! Is it a bad thing that they are using the nesting boxes at night and pooping in them?

 

[srd5757]

The problem with moving them is that we built the purina hutch coop. So there isn't a way for me to reach in to move them without disrupting everyone by opening the cleaning hatch and even then it would be quite a chore in the dark!

The nest boxes have been perfectly clean up til now. I don't want have to clean poop out of the next box every morning or have poopy eggs...

 

[applefalls]

Mine are doing the exact same thing. All 6 Red Sex Links in one nesting box and all 6 Barred Rocks in another nesting box, mind you there are 4 nesting boxes! Is it a bad thing that they are using the nesting boxes at night and pooping in them?

Yes, I consider this a bad thing. You want those nesting boxes as clean as possible, and the chickens do normally keep the nesting boxes pretty clean. You need to wait until after sunset, when all the chickens are settled in for the night. Then open the nesting box doors and move any chicken perched on the edge. This may take a few nights to break the habit they've developed, but it will be worth it to have clean nesting boxes!
Another thing that helped me was to fill the nesting boxes and the area right outside the boxes with fresh pine shavings--so high that the edge of the box isn't too much of a perch.

 

[srd5757]

I've blocked the nesting boxes at night and opening it up in the am. Problem now: one of my 2 hens stopped laying in the box and is now laying in the corner of the coop... If it's not one thing it's another.