Cuddly Chicks in the Coop

[Sara211]

So my chicks will be 9 weeks old this week. They moved out to the coop, spent a week strictly inside (to teach them where home is- read about that here) and then we started to let them out into their run. Each night they did great coming back before dark. This weekend, however, they didn’t want to go back inside. So we picked them up and put them inside. They immediately ran to cuddle together in one of the nest boxes while chirping quite a bit. They eventually settled but continued to squeeze into the corner, basically on top of one another. Why are they doing this? Do we need to worry about the cuddling? Do we need to worry about them not wanting to go in at night?

My theory is that we had a surprisingly hot weekend (in the 90s, been in 60s and 70s since chicks outside) and they just wanted to stay out longer since it was finally cooling off in the evening. Still doesn’t make sense for the cuddling as soon as they go inside.

 

[The Kid Farmer]

Do they have a roost inside the coop? Also, I could be wrong about this, but I don't think the chickens are supposed to have access to the nesting boxes until they are going to start laying, just to teach them that the nest boxes are not where they sleep.

 

[zenaghia]

I've had chicks that climbed on top of each other. Just thought that was pretty normal and maybe just a security thing while they are young. I just let mine all have access to nests all the time and had no issues. I had one hen that slept in a nest box for about 1.5 yr before she decided to sleep out on the roost with the others. Crazy hens...