Howdy From Texas . . .

[Kiki]

Another question:

Our hens have yet to enter the actual nesting coop. Hey have gone up the ramp and peeked in, but have not gone in. Is this normal? Any concern?

They are still too young to lay eggs.

Thanks,
TWG

It may get be too hot in there for them.

 

[TexasWineGuy]

It may get be too hot in there for them.

Understood, but too hot to even venture in for a minute or two? There's not one single poop in that coop.

Maybe too young to have the nesting instincts?

TWG

 

[Kiki]

Understood, but too hot to even venture in for a minute or two? There's not one single poop in that coop.

Maybe too young to have the nesting instincts?

TWG

Are they not sleeping on the roosts?

 

[Kiki]

If not they are probably just scared of it still.

 

[ronott1]

Another question:

Our hens have yet to enter the actual nesting coop. Hey have gone up the ramp and peeked in, but have not gone in. Is this normal? Any concern?

They are still too young to lay eggs.

Thanks,
TWG

They will go into the nest boxes and rough them up a bit usually several days before laying the first egg. Often a day before laying you can hear them in the nest box singing the egg song. It is almost like they are teasing you!

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens, the pulse beat of the chicken community.

 

[TexasWineGuy]

Are they not sleeping on the roosts?

They sleep on the lower perch in the "run" area.

TWG

 

[TexasWineGuy]

1/2" hardware cloth, attached with screws and washers is your friend. Also, you might want to cover half the top with roofing and the rest with 2x4 welded wire under the 1/2" hardware cloth. Coons jumped up and down on one of my shelters until they pulled the hardware cloth off the top and then had a feast of chicken.

@rjohns39

Screws and washers - like a small fender washer, 1/2" diameter? Larger?

TWG

 

[Kiki]

@rjohns39

Screws and washers - like a small fender washer, 1/2" diameter? Larger?

TWG

This quail cage is the closest one to me right now for a pic....

I used these on my coop too.
This hardware cloth is 1/2 inch.

 

[DobieLover]

This quail cage is the closest one to me right now for a pic....

I used these on my coop too.
This hardware cloth is 1/2 inch.
View attachment 1832252 View attachment 1832253

What!!??? How do your hands look so nice? Mine are covered in cuts and scrapes and my nails are all broken!