I think I've done something wrong

[EggSighted4Life]

Thanks for the info. Only treats the chickens get really is soft watermelons and yellow cucumbers from the garden. You guys have been great and I feel like I can get on track now. I will post back here with any developments in fixing the egg laying. Any suggestions to there being two cliques?

Well, your CLB will probably start laying again when she settles in.

I currently have 4 cliques from 4 broods this year. The separation between the first two is almost gone but its been 5 months since I integrated them. There are some chasing of the younger two. But I suspect they will meld eventually.... to a degree. But I'm not worried too much, I don't need 48 hanging out at the same location at the same time of day. Right now they kinda take turns making rounds to their favorite areas on the property. SOON though I will be making a stag pen so I can grow out my cockerels without having them gang up on the girls.

My first coop build (3 x 5) also didn't have windows.

But it does have ventilation. And wow the things I learned that worked for real instead of in theory! Now my second coop build also brought new revelations. Starting # 3 (stag pen) with more working knowledge.

I see you do have ventilation at the top. So you can see if it's enough to accommodate how many birds you have. I still use coop # 1 as a transitional space and they are fine with the lighting being the door is open at sunrise and closed at sunset, it works like a window.

@Blooie I have anxiety that makes me so nervous to start ANYTHING!

But it is never as bad as the dread that leads up to it.

And you make a good point that many may not consider, the space in the coop things like food and such is occupying. I keep mine in the run and no problem since I free range. But I will have to remember that when (not if) I have to lock them in.

 

[PoultryPat]

@EggSighted4Life , as suggested by @Blooie , I will cut a couple of vents lower in the coop, and there is plenty of venting on the top like you said. My next coop will have windows that can be opened for venting and will allow sun in.

I will let the cliques be and give it time, thanks.