New to chickens, unsure about some behaviors

[Gary335]

Hi everyone! I'm new to chicken keeping, and have noticed a couple of behaviors that don't necessarily worry me per se, but do have my attention. I acquired two adult, egg laying hens on Tuesday. The first behavior is I've noticed that both hens slept in the doorway of the coop on their first night with us, rather than inside it. Not a huge issue, but it was a chilly night (temp got down to around 49) and I would have felt better if they had been inside. Last night they were doing it again and it was another chilly night so I decided to nudge them into the coop and closed the door. I came out to open the door this morning, and they seemed just fine, except I'd noticed that they moved all of the bedding material to one side of the coop. Are these normal behaviors? Is guiding them into the coop the right thing to do, or should I allow them to remain in the doorway if that's where they want to sleep? I assume it's all part of getting used to a new environment, but with my lack of experience I want to make sure.

Secondly, they have not laid any eggs yet. Is this anything to be concerned about? I know they've only been with me for two days, but I assume that it might at some point become a problem if hens that are used to laying daily stop laying? Or maybe not? Perhaps this another symptom of adjusting to new surroundings?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[FrostRanger]

Can you post a picture of your setup, both in and outside the coop? Those temps don't worry me at all as that's pretty moderate for chickens but predators could be a concern depending on how secure your setup is. Not to mention chickens usually prefer to roost rather than lay on the floor. Of course it could just be they're getting used to the place.

As for them not laying yet, totally normal, moving is stressful so give them a few weeks to recover from that

 

[TooCheep]

Hello @Gary335.

I'll give you partial answers below, but could use some additional info. How old are your girls? Also, although not relevant to this particular thread, having your general location in your profile can be very helpful with questions involving pests/predators, climate, etc.

On sleeping accommodations: Chickens really prefer a routine over change. They likely just need to get comfortable with your new environment. You want them to get used to sleeping in the coop, so put them in there each night. They should get used to sleeping on the roost bars on their own. Being behind the door is also a security measure in case a predator manages to break in.

I agree with @FrostRanger that the temperatures are likely fine. Pictures of your setup and breeds of your girls (if known) would be helpful.

On laying eggs: Not laying can be due to many causes: too young/old, moving to a new coop, health issues, etc. If they aren't laying strictly because they just moved, then they should start again soon.

 

[Gary335]

Can you post a picture of your setup, both in and outside the coop? Those temps don't worry me at all as that's pretty moderate for chickens but predators could be a concern depending on how secure your setup is. Not to mention chickens usually prefer to roost rather than lay on the floor. Of course it could just be they're getting used to the place.

As for them not laying yet, totally normal, moving is stressful so give them a few weeks to recover from that

Here are a couple of photos:

 

[Gary335]

Hello @Gary335.

I'll give you partial answers below, but could use some additional info. How old are your girls? Also, although not relevant to this particular thread, having your general location in your profile can be very helpful with questions involving pests/predators, climate, etc.

On sleeping accommodations: Chickens really prefer a routine over change. They likely just need to get comfortable with your new environment. You want them to get used to sleeping in the coop, so put them in there each night. They should get used to sleeping on the roost bars on their own. Being behind the door is also a security measure in case a predator manages to break in.

I agree with @FrostRanger that the temperatures are likely fine. Pictures of your setup and breeds of your girls (if known) would be helpful.

On laying eggs: Not laying can be due to many causes: too young/old, moving to a new coop, health issues, etc. If they aren't laying strictly because they just moved, then they should start again soon.

I'm not sure their breeds. I was told when I bought them, but can't recall. I think one was a Wyandotte, and the other a Gold Brahma?I'll post a photo with this response, perhaps you can tell by looking at them. As for age, also not sure exactly but they are no more than a year old, likely less. But they are old enough to be laying, they were egg a day layers prior to my acquiring them.

 

[FrostRanger]

Hmm, perhaps not the reason they're sleeping at the door now, but that coop does have very little ventilation. General rule of thumb is you want a minimum of 1 square feet of ventilation per bird, double or triple that in very hot climates. That coop could work as a sleeping area for 2 birds (although it's still a bit cramped) but you will need to expand their run. General rule of thumb is 4 square feet of space inside the coop and 10 square feetof run space per bird at a bare minimum although no bird ever complained about more room. Provided you expand the run and add more ventilation, it can work for 2 but you'll need a bigger coop if you want to expand your flock and in general you'll get a better coop for less money if you build it yourself rather than buy a prefab coop

Other than that they just need time

 

[TooCheep]

I'm not sure their breeds. I was told when I bought them, but can't recall. I think one was a Wyandotte, and the other a Gold Brahma?I'll post a photo with this response, perhaps you can tell by looking at them. As for age, also not sure exactly but they are no more than a year old, likely less. But they are old enough to be laying, they were egg a day layers prior to my acquiring them.

Those appear to be correct. You can learn more about those breeds here:

Golden Laced Wyandotte
Buff Brahma

Both breeds are cold-hardy, so they'll be able to handle your winters as long as they have proper shelter.

About the eggs... Are you sure they have been laying? I'm guessing they are young pullets- maybe 3-4 months old. Their comb and wattles haven't grown out yet, so I think they are too young to lay right now.

About the coop... That will need some work. I'll put that in a separate post. Are you handy and able to modify that coop?

 

[Gary335]

Those appear to be correct. You can learn more about those breeds here:

Golden Laced Wyandotte
Buff Brahma

Both breeds are cold-hardy, so they'll be able to handle your winters as long as they have proper shelter.

About the eggs... Are you sure they have been laying? I'm guessing they are young pullets- maybe 3-4 months old. Their comb and wattles haven't grown out yet, so I think they are too young to lay right now.

About the coop... That will need some work. I'll put that in a separate post. Are you mildly handy?

Thanks for the breed info, very glad to have that! I am not sure that they have been laying, but that was the impression I got when I bought them from the farm. I specifically asked what I can expect as far as laying goes, and was told that they have been laying an egg a day. I will definitely ask the farmer again so I am clear.

I am handy enough I think. I am more than happy to hear what you think about the coop.

 

[Gary335]

The girls are in their usual position again tonight:

 

[rosemarythyme]

I can't blame them for wanting to sit in the doorway, as others mentioned the coop lacks ventilation and natural light which makes it unattractive to them.

I also agree that these are pre-POL pullets, not laying hens, as both have very small and pale combs. They're maybe in their teens and likely won't begin laying for a few more weeks, if not a few months.

If you are only going to have 2 birds the coop is probably big enough (run is likely too small) but I'd suggest cutting out the part of the interior coop wall above the pop door and replacing it with hardware cloth secured with screws and fender washers. It'll provide both light and ventilation and the roof will help protect the vent from climate intrusion.