New at this & have many questions

[Freeze3time11]

So when i first got my chickens i built the building on the left. It has 4 nest boxes with a sheet of plywood on top (plans i used called for it). They started roosting on top of their nests & i read that wasn't good. So i drilled holes in both side walls & ran a tree limb through them hoping they would roost on it. They didn't at first, so i decided to build a 2nd building, slightly smaller with some places to roost. Well, after i got that building built they had started roosting on the limb in the 1st building (go figure, lol). Since i already had the 2nd building built i wanted to use it so i cut holes in sides of both buildings and cut the bottom out of a bucket, and joined them. I was told this wouldn't work. Any thoughts? Also, when i first got the chicks (2 of them) i was told to lock them up in the coop for 2 days so they would know that was home (i got them from a neighbor & was worried they would go back to mamma). Now they won't come out unless i'm in the fenced in area with them & i had to force them at first. Also, since i kept them locked up at first they're used to having food & water inside. So i'm still leaving food & water in the 2nd (roost) building. Am i doing anything wrong? The chicks are about 8-10 weeks old. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I don't see why it wouldn't work if you want them to roost on one side and lay in the other (once they're mature). Are they using that pass through bucket or no? If not, I would replace it with one made of wood and wire, as the plastic might be slippery so they won't want to use it.

If they don't want to come out and use the run don't force it, though I'd move the water out at least. I'm not a fan of keeping water inside due to drips/condensation.

 

[Freeze3time11]

I don't see why it wouldn't work if you want them to roost on one side and lay in the other (once they're mature). Are they using that pass through bucket or no? If not, I would replace it with one made of wood and wire, as the plastic might be slippery so they won't want to use it.

If they don't want to come out and use the run don't force it, though I'd move the water out at least. I'm not a fan of keeping water inside due to drips/condensation.

They are using the pass thru. Thx for the advice on the water. I will try. Is there any trouble feeding out of my hand? I guess i made a pet out of one of them. Lol. She's a polish i think.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You can feed them by hand if you wish (though if you get birds starting to peck aggressively or swarming you, you might need to rethink that at that time).

 

[aart]

though I'd move the water out at least. I'm not a fan of keeping water inside due to drips/condensation.

I'd be more worried about rain coming thru to the roof
(looks like just some boards up there?) and doors here.