I need advise

[Pekin747]

Since it is a nice big coop... (but how many birds?)

I would guess it is too stuffy.

If you cut in big holes, make sure you cover the holes with wire that is good and strong with tiny holes.

There is quite a few birds in it but a lot are bantams that are growing up in it along side the layers
But they are always out at 5 or 6 and not in til 8 or 9 and before it get dark during the winter months
I will do the holes but it's made from tin as there can be a lot of wild predators like minks and foxes and I noticed a few hocks now flying in a field 10 mins down the road so is putting hols in it the only way to get natural ventilation in it?
I'll get pics of the flock and nest boxes and shed outside and inside tonight

 

[Trux]

Yes they have a huge area with rones of grass

Well maybe they are laying eggs elsewhere, you need to start searching your yard and any buildings they may have access to. Also if you want them to lay in the nest boxes you should keep them confined to the coop and run for a few days so they know they are supposed to use those nest boxes.

 

[Pekin747]

Well maybe they are laying eggs elsewhere, you need to start searching your yard and any buildings they may have access to. Also if you want them to lay in the nest boxes you should keep them confined to the coop and run for a few days so they know they are supposed to use those nest boxes.

They only have access to their shed as the next shed for them to get to has my breeder muscovys in and none of the hens ever go to them I will try putting them inside for a few days with golf balls in the nests to see if that helps
Here's a pic of the area they h

ave to run around in
I wanted my mum to get a pic inside but she says that the muscovys are hissing at here and she doesnt want to go to close so I cant blame here for that

 

[Trux]

They only have access to their shed as the next shed for them to get to has my breeder muscovys in and none of the hens ever go to them I will try putting them inside for a few days with golf balls in the nests to see if that helps
Here's a pic of the area they hView attachment 1788818 ave to run around in
I wanted my mum to get a pic inside but she says that the muscovys are hissing at here and she doesnt want to go to close so I cant blame here for that
View attachment 1788821

Wow rather large area, they must be happy chickens They have access to a lot of hiding spots for eggs there. Beautiful country BTW, your blessed to live there

 

[Alaskan]

Hummm

I haven't ever worked with a tin building.

What is the door made out of?

If the door is wood, you could put a wire window in the top part of the door.

Ventilation is very important.... but you don't want to mess up the structural integrity of the building.

I just have no experience with metal buildings.

 

[TropicalBabies]

What are your average temperatures? A skil saw or wormdrive circular saw ot to do it (draw it out and plunge cut with old-ish blade) and you can pre-drill holes and screw in your protective screen, maybe even frame it for safety. It wont be easy but not horrifically hard either. I recommend finding a handy friend with tools and asking them to help put in some vents if that's the way you decide to go. Photos of the inside and nesting boxes would be good because you may have a few little problems that need just a bit of tweaking... but lets face it, that is some beautiful freedom that they have and it will take some effort and charm to get them all back in and laying like good little chickens.

 

[Pekin747]

Wow rather large area, they must be happy chickens They have access to a lot of hiding spots for eggs there. Beautiful country BTW, your blessed to live there

Cheers I know it's a lot of places to look and they are when theres no sheep in the field otherwise they dont go that far

Hummm

I haven't ever worked with a tin building.

What is the door made out of?

If the door is wood, you could put a wire window in the top part of the door.

Ventilation is very important.... but you don't want to mess up the structural integrity of the building.

I just have no experience with metal buildings.

Door is tin I'm trying to organise my naighbour to come and look at it as she is very good with these things but she is rarely home

What are your average temperatures? A skil saw or wormdrive circular saw ot to do it (draw it out and plunge cut with old-ish blade) and you can pre-drill holes and screw in your protective screen, maybe even frame it for safety. It wont be easy but not horrifically hard either. I recommend finding a handy friend with tools and asking them to help put in some vents if that's the way you decide to go. Photos of the inside and nesting boxes would be good because you may have a few little problems that need just a bit of tweaking... but lets face it, that is some beautiful freedom that they have and it will take some effort and charm to get them all back in and laying like good little chickens.

Cheers I have to work late again so I can get a few days off
Yea it's a very big area for only a few birds I wish I could get all of them on it but i dont want my roosters to kill each other
And my naighbour is very handy with tools and I'm trying to get here to come over and help me out with this

 

[mountainchickens]

I will try this does with the new nest boxes is there a certain amount u would need in each nest box or will 1 in each box work???

I think just one in each box will work... Maybe one or two