Nesting Box Issue

[aart]

Might block off the smaller coops, get them integrated.
That larger cop in the background looks big enough for 4 birds.
Is the first pic inside the largest coop?
Might need some work there, better pics would help.

Looks like you live somewhere cold, avy pic shows snow?
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[ANiceKaren]

Might block off the smaller coops, get them integrated.
That larger cop in the background looks big enough for 4 birds.
Is the first pic inside the largest coop?
Might need some work there, better pics would help.

Looks like you live somewhere cold, avy pic shows snow?
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2399242

Thanks so much for your help! I live in Frazier Park Ca, while we do have snow temps get around 20 degrees at the coldest. My pic was taken in Mass visiting family Yes, the first pic is inside larger coop. This is my first time having chickens and I wish I just had a nice big coop made to begin with, hence my three different smaller coops.

 

[aart]

This is my first time having chickens and I wish I just had a nice big coop made to begin with, hence my three different smaller coops.

Common occurrence....it'll be alright.
Dimensions and more pics of that larger coop will help us get you and your flock situated for winter.

 

[ANiceKaren]

Common occurrence....it'll be alright.
Dimensions and more pics of that larger coop will help us get you and your flock situated for winter.

Here are some hopefully better pics. The larger coop was given to me by a friend.. it’s roughly 7’ tall and 4’ wide and about 2.5 feet deep. Kind of long and narrow. I have three coops total all separated by covered run. The girls have options I just worry that two choose not to roost and sleep basically laying down. Yes, winter is coming! I’m nervous about that. My run isn’t covered except for chicken wire but I’ve hung plastic in many areas to help with wind. They also free range a lot!

 

[NatJ]

The girls have options I just worry that two choose not to roost and sleep basically laying down.

I did try one time to put them in larger and they were not happy! I was also afraid they would attack smalle girls in the coop during the night... they get along fine but not great

I think I see roosts in at least two coops (first two pictures in your most recent post.) You could put the hens on a roost every night, in the coop where the other two are not sleeping. No attacking each other that way

Chickens tend to form habits and keep doing things the same way, unless something forces them to change. If you think it's best for them to sleep on a roost, you can train them to do that.

I live in Frazier Park Ca, while we do have snow temps get around 20 degrees at the coldest.

winter is coming! I’m nervous about that. My run isn’t covered except for chicken wire but I’ve hung plastic in many areas to help with wind. They also free range a lot!

With those temperatures, and that amount of shelter in the run, and the three separate coops, they will probably do just fine for the winter.

Be sure they have plenty of food available (normal chicken food), and water that isn't frozen (heated waterer, or carry out fresh water in the morning and maybe the afternoon. They need to drink in the morning and again before bed, even if the water freezes between those times.)

And yes, frozen eggs are safe to eat, except that they sometimes split open and get their insides dirty. The dirt makes them unfit to eat, but the freezing itself does not.

 

[ANiceKaren]

I think I see roosts in at least two coops (first two pictures in your most recent post.) You could put the hens on a roost every night, in the coop where the other two are not sleeping. No attacking each other that way

Chickens tend to form habits and keep doing things the same way, unless something forces them to change. If you think it's best for them to sleep on a roost, you can train them to do that.

Thanks so much for the help! I did add the roost to the smaller coop yesterday. It just seemed so silly to me because it’s only 4 inches off ground but they were in it this morning when I got them so....! Winter does scare me but I think we will be ok as well! I wish I had a bigger better coop... maybe next year!



With those temperatures, and that amount of shelter in the run, and the three separate coops, they will probably do just fine for the winter.

Be sure they have plenty of food available (normal chicken food), and water that isn't frozen (heated waterer, or carry out fresh water in the morning and maybe the afternoon. They need to drink in the morning and again before bed, even if the water freezes between those times.)

And yes, frozen eggs are safe to eat, except that they sometimes split open and get their insides dirty. The dirt makes them unfit to eat, but the freezing itself does not.