lock out? or not? Good coop etiquette!!!

[dustyruffle]

I have not posted since my introduction...sorry. It has been a whirlwind spring and summer. Between getting my chicks and so many "life" issues happening...as with everyone..,.illness, a loved one passing on, storms and other events I have not checked in. We have just pushed through, prayed and trusted The Lord to carry us through all of this plus "chicken raisin". Bypassing any details of all of the in between...I am posting a question today about locking my chickens out of the coop during the day so they only free range or leaving it open as their option. We have our coop finished except for the nest boxes which are going in this week, and the run which is not started yet. My chickens and one rooster are now 17 weeks old. They have been able to occupy the coop for many weeks now and after a learning process on our part and starting a routine on theirs they have finally been going in the coop at night to roost....without wrangling stragglers with flashlights. it took days to even get them to venture out of the coop at first but now they are eager in the mornings. A couple of times this past week they have gone in very early and not come back out, but the past several days it has rained almost none stop and they chose to stay out til dusk. Today the rain has stopped, it is cooler and they have gone in already by 2:00. Not sure if they are cold, bored with outside...how could that be?....or just being chickens. I have learned in these 4 months that chickens are routine animals so what routine for cooping during the day would be best? or are they showing me that they haven't made up their minds yet what they want to do? Thanks for any advice.

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if they are just adjusting their routine according to the weather. I would not lock them out of the coop as they are about to start laying, and it would be best if they lay in the coop.

 

[dustyruffle]

Thank you for a quick reply. I wasn't sure if they were old enough to lay yet but better get those nest boxes in this week for sure then.

 

[sourland]

17 weeks is early for most breeds, but the occasional sex link or other high production bird can start that early.

 

[New2Chicks97]

I leave the coop and run open to our girls when they free range. They come and go as they please. Most of the time they come back to get drinks and then off they go again. I have two younger pullets that hang out in and around the coop rarely venturing further than 10-15 feet away before returning again. I figure if I leave it open the. If they need to get away from the weather or a flying predator then they can.

 

[Melky]

Thank you for a quick reply. I wasn't sure if they were old enough to lay yet but better get those nest boxes in this week for sure then.

Laying age is breed dependent. You can look up your breeds online and ask what laying age it has and you will find the answer. The hen will also have to reach maturity in breed weight and physical characteristics before it will lay. Comb and wattle color in etc. for breed. So have some time but finish nest boxes. Agree no lock out for hens who could be laying soon. I do not lock out anyway. Just let out in am and encourage them to go back at night. Once in coop, go to bed. If leave open all day will go in and out for food and water left in run or shade/cover weather dependent.

Mine go back and forth to free range and this is ok. I do not have water in my yard unless I put the fountain there while I clean the coop. The water fountain goes back when done so it makes sense that my birds will go in and out to eat out of yard and what is put into the run for them.

Mine gradually increased their free range time on own. Keep regular routine and they will follow. I let mine out with sun up and put in with sun down. It varies because of time changes. All you have to do is close the gate once in. I have 14 week pullets and they already do this.

I do not have them locked out of nesting boxes at this time and I am prepared to keep girls in more if seeing laying outside the nesting boxes. Not yet laying as not yet old enough. My birds are put in coop about 8pm with option to roam in and out during the day due to free ranging in yard and they come out at 8 am when day light hits currently. Hope this helps and not too long! The only time it changes is if the weather is horrid then they are usually in fenced coop/run for roof/shelter.

I will put the false eggs in week before laying age that is typical for breed. Hope my girls are on time. Good Luck!