First night with the newbies in the coop. Gulp.

[mclanea]

Added a second roost. Also trying to see if they will figure out to go in the coop on their own... so far they are rooster out in the run. Right idea, wrong spot.

 

[mclanea]

Ended up putting them on their roost. Ah well, these aren't the smartest of breeds. But they are good flyers.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Most young chickens need to be escorted to bed for a while until they start doing it themselves. In a natural situation the mom hen takes them to roost when they are ready. You will have to play the role of the mom hen for a while.

 

[mclanea]

Most young chickens need to be escorted to bed for a while until they start doing it themselves. In a natural situation the mom hen takes them to roost when they are ready. You will have to play the role of the mom hen for a while.

I think I just got spoiled last year... never had to do it once.

All cozy in there for night #2.

 

[aart]

Most young chickens need to be escorted to bed for a while until they start doing it themselves. In a natural situation the mom hen takes them to roost when they are ready. You will have to play the role of the mom hen for a while.

Well, part of the problem is that there are other older birds in there too.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Well, part of the problem is that there are other older birds in there too.

I always have older birds in the coop or shed, so that's probably why mine need an escort, where others don't have the same problem.

 

[aart]

Quote: I meant it's an integration situation for the OP.....so older birds are probably keeping the newbies out too....
......as well as that youngsters want to stay out all night thing.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I meant it's an integration situation for the OP.....so older birds are probably keeping the newbies out too....
......as well as that youngsters want to stay out all night thing.

Now I got it, geez, old lady moment.

 

[aart]

Quote: Between the two of us....we'll figure it out. ;-)

 

[mclanea]

I meant it's an integration situation for the OP.....so older birds are probably keeping the newbies out too....
......as well as that youngsters want to stay out all night thing.

This is definitely the case and makes total sense. The top bird, Sour, stands at the bottom of the ramp while the other two head into the coop for the night. Last night she stood near the door when one of the littles put her foot on the bottom of the board she gave her the look, so the two littles just went back to the roost they'd been hanging out on.

I just waited for it to get quiet in the coop, scooped up the two littles, and put them on the roost.

This morning the older 3 were up at their normal buttcrack of dawn growling at me in my bed to come let them out in the yard. When I let them out I peaked in on the littles who were still roosting right where I left them. I left for a bit and when I came back they'd gone back into the brooder and fallen asleep. They've been hanging out there all day today.

Ah, chickens.