New Pullets socially distancing - Should I be Concerned?

[Austin_ChickenKing2020]

So a little bit of a background narrative, this is my first flock and it’s a mixed flock comprised of 8 pullets ranging from 8-10 weeks in age.

I got all of my pullets from a local Breeder in my area. I got 6 of the 8 pullets (2) Ameraucana, (2) French Black Copper Marans, (2) Rhode Island Red in mid April (April 18th). Then I added two more 8 week old speckled Sussex pullets from the same breeder on May 4th.
I have noticed the two new additions to the flock roost with the rest of the flock but when it comes to foraging throughout the day they do their own thing and they are distant from the rest of the flock. There is a size difference from the two new chickens to the rest of the flock die to them being separated by two weeks of age. The ten week pullets are larger. I have seen the usual pecking order behavior taking place so I am assuming they are just low man on the chicken totem pole for now because of their size.
Also I noticed at night all the birds are not using the roost bar. The are sleeping in an elevated chicken house that is enclosed but directly on the ground bedding versus the roost bar. During the day they hang out on the roost bars in the coop but they don’t sleep on the roost bars. What should I do? Thanks for the help!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Normal for birds new to a group to be in a subflock from the others. They may not become one flock until they are laying.

The are sleeping in an elevated chicken house that is enclosed but directly on the ground bedding versus the roost bar. During the day they hang out on the roost bars in the coop but they don’t sleep on the roost bars.

They're in the coop but just sitting on the floor? Photos would help if that's not what you're describing.

Have any of them ever roosted at night (day time roosting is more like play)? If no, you need to train them to roost by manually placing them on the bars at nightfall.

 

[rosemarythyme]

@rosemarythyme
During the day I prop that door open to let it breathe and clean it out so it doesn’t get saturated in an ammonia smell and I clean it out daily by working it over.
Should I install a window? Typically I close the chicken house door but it’s left slightly ajar to allow for some breathability. They all pile in there at night regularly as the sun sets. I’m just concerned about them coming across pathogens laying in the bedding where they poop.
So, the simple answer would be to cut a box out in the housing and install wire over it?
What would I do in the winters when it gets cold though and to avoid drafts overnight?

So I personally do not count doors as ventilation, reason being, they're usually closed up at night, which is exactly when the chickens are all inside the coop. That means ammonia and moisture build up over the course of the night.

Recommended minimum ventilation is 1 sq ft per bird/10% of floor space, whichever is greater.

Windows add both air flow and light, which is why I like them compared to some other ventilation options.

As far as winter, how cold does it get where you're at? Cold isn't usually an issue, unless you're talking arctic level deep freeze. Drafts are something you want to avoid, so there's various ways of avoiding those:
- minimize vents facing into predominant winds
- place majority of vents well up above roosts
- have buffers (awning, louvered covers, top hinged windows) over or partially covering vents to buffer air flow

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

sounds like social distancing to me
Yeah sometimes they do that. I wouldn’t worry too much about it

 

[rosemarythyme]

This evening, I placed them on the roost bar and they sat there for awhile but they would hop down after 5 minutes. They just seem content to congregate in the corner of the house. They appeared to be stressed when I rounded them up to seat them on the roost bar but I am hoping this will condition them to roost.

You can let them figure it out on their own as they grow up. I want mine to roost so I actively encourage it by putting them on the bars once it's dark/very close to dark.

 

[rosemarythyme]

We live in the Pacific Northwest region so it can get pretty cold in the fall and winter. I will explore what ways I could possibly vent while maintaining a comfortable cabin temp for the birds with our climate zone.

I'm in Pac NW as well (you can update your profile to show general location, helps when dealing with questions like this). Really doesn't get cold enough to worry about the cold much. The only time I've ever closed any of my windows was during the big snowstorm the winter prior - but I still had 3 of 5 windows open, as well as gable, floor and undereave vents all unobstructed.

 

[Conan]

I'm in the pacific NW too, and here is my coop. It's very open, and I don't have issues with my birds being cold. You really won't have to worry about that here. Add ventilation, and your birds will be happy.

 

[Austin_ChickenKing2020]

I'm in the pacific NW too, and here is my coop. It's very open, and I don't have issues with my birds being cold. You really won't have to worry about that here. Add ventilation, and your birds will be happy. View attachment 2131705

@honanbm
That is a really nice chicken coop. Thank you for the recommendation. I will keep you all posted!

 

[Austin_ChickenKing2020]

Hey everyone, first off Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers out there. You all are awesome!
I just want to let you know I should have some pictures to upload of the passive ventilation system I have made for the coop. I would’ve finished earlier but my drill died on me. It’s charging as I type. Thanks for all your advice.
@honanbm @rosemarythyme

 

[rosemarythyme]

@rosemarythyme

Here are some photos of the coop itself. You can see the roost bar inside the chicken house itself. They opt not to sleep on it but choose to sleep on the ground in the pine shavings.

One issue is your coop (at least that back area) is very dark and... I don't see any ventilation either? Makes it difficult to see for them to roost in the first place and uninviting overall.