New to chickens

[Shana821]

Hello, I'm VERY new to this whole chicken game!! I've wanted them for years and my husband FINALLY got them for me for my birthday. My question is this..

Should the coop door be left open during the day? I've noticed that more than half of my ladies will go into the coop and lay in their nesting boxes or stand on their roost. They are only 16 weeks, so not laying eggs yet. I don't want to lock them out or shoo them out if its not needed. Thank you so much for your feedback, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[mowin]

New chicks should be locked in the coop for a few days. It helps imprint that it's home. Nest boxes should be covered until there laying age to discourage sleeping in them. Roosts should be a few inches higher than the nest boxes. Chickens automatically go to the highest point.

Leave the coop door open during the day. If they want to go out, they will.