Newbie here :P

[Juevos Rancheras]

Hello,
My name is Angela. I lurke around this website for info on chickens. I live in rural Florida and now have 8 chickens. I have a Red Laced Wyandot, A Rhode Island Red, A Jersey Giant, a Bielefelder, and 4 light brown leghorns. I have noticed they sleep in the nesting boxes huddled together. I am worried poop will get all over the eggs when they start laying. My other dilema, is the 4 leghorns are the oldest of the 8 pullets. A couple of them don't like going into the coop at night and like to perch up on the roof of the coop instead. Is this safe for all night? I lock up the run, and don't mind leaving the ramp open if ya'll think it's safe to?
Any suggestions helpful
Angela

 

[Tookie]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

 

[Blue Raptor]

Hello,
My name is Angela. I lurke around this website for info on chickens. I live in rural Florida and now have 8 chickens. I have a Red Laced Wyandot, A Rhode Island Red, A Jersey Giant, a Bielefelder, and 4 light brown leghorns. I have noticed they sleep in the nesting boxes huddled together. I am worried poop will get all over the eggs when they start laying. My other dilema, is the 4 leghorns are the oldest of the 8 pullets. A couple of them don't like going into the coop at night and like to perch up on the roof of the coop instead. Is this safe for all night? I lock up the run, and don't mind leaving the ramp open if ya'll think it's safe to?
Any suggestions helpful
Angela

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[swampfox440]

Hi, welcome to BYC! I would not let them sleep on the roof Great Horned Owls may be able to get them at night.

 

[sourland]

Hello, Angela, and welcome to BYC. Sleeping outside they are vulnerable to predation. If the roosts are not higher than the nest boxes, raise them or lower the nest boxes. Chickens like to roost at the highest point possible.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC, Angela. Is the coop inside a secure run with a roof over it?
Can you post a picture of your run and your coop?

 

[Grammy60]

Hello Angela and welcome to BYC Thanks for joining us.

 

[N F C]

Hi Angela, I agree with the other greeters...roosting outside the coop may leave them vulnerable to predators. Hope you can make the necessary adjustments to the coop so they are willing to sleep inside.

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, Angela and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Glad you decided to de-lurk!

Thanks for joining our community!