Newbie with behavior questions.

[Jeffross1968]

Yeah, looks like "young hens" have turned into young roosters. At least 3 of the 4 have been identified as roosters in another thread. That's what happens when you don't know what you are doing. Here are the pictures you asked for though...

Unfortunately, I do not have room for that many birds, so I'll give away the roosters when I fund some pullets to replace them. Soon hopefully...

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
You are on right track.

Your cooping material (chicken wire) is likely to prove a bit light once a racoon visits. At some point heavier material should be used.

What does you coop / pen look like from distance?

 

[Jeffross1968]

Here are some pics of the coop. Keep in mind, they'll only be in here for a week or so all day, and then only at night after that. The pen goes all the way back underneath the deck there to the house.

So what will happen with a raccoon? Can it break through the chicken wire?

 

[centrarchid]

You are highly vulnerable to varments. They can get at birds through wire or dig under. Do you have a dog?

 

[Jeffross1968]

Only an inside pug...

 

[centrarchid]

If he / she gets outside once in a while to scent mark around coop, then a measure of protection will be realized. Over longer term you will need to beef up defenses as odds are a varment will want to test your wire or attempt to dig under perimeter. You may also consider elevating whole unit as it will make easier on you when time comes to manage box (collect eggs / clean). I am going through redesign phase myself now with some confined birds. Acquiring dog reduces most but not all of that.

Yes, a racoon that is highly motivated can chew or tear through chicken wire. As a kid we had racoons as pets over many years along with poultry and just about everything else. Racoons were "free-ranged" as well causing some loss of poultry and eggs. The racoons rip through chicken wire and are very adept at forcing open doors and sometimes prying boards apart. I used to sit around watching how the rascals did it and was able to figure out how strong they were and what limitations they had in their claws.

 

[Jeffross1968]

Wow, that's crazy. Well, for now, we're going to line the bottom with some larger rocks from around our mountain here, and hope that helps a bit. As for a complete redesign, that could be in the future, but for now, I'm going to wait and see, and keep an eye out. So far, we haven't had any sign that those things are around, though I'm sure they are. There are only a few houses near us, acres in either direction, but everyone owns dogs, and most are outside dogs at least part of the day.

I left the laying box separate from the wall behind it, for easy removal for cleaning and such. We'll see how that goes. This is our first attempt. We've talked about it for years. Everything I learn here will help us to provide a better home and experience for our chickens and our family, now and in the future, so I really appreciate it! Now if I could just figure out FOR SURE what gender those 4 youngin's are, LOL!

 

[centrarchid]

Your coop will not require complete redesign, just some tweaking, and grunting.


Post a lateral shot of each bird in question. At age they are at, I bet we can get 100% accurate gender determination.

 

[Jeffross1968]

Quote:
I have another thread going about the gender where I've posted pics. Let me know what you think or if the pics aren't good enough...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=505050

 

[centrarchid]

The two darker birds definantly male. Better images of latter two needed.