One bantam Rooster and 3 asa brown hens

[aart]

Hey new friends, can I ask you another question? So far, the little bantam and his three girls are getting along great, running, playing, and eating together. But at bedtime, the three girls are sleeping inside the coop and he’s sleeping on top of the coop. The coop is inside a 10x10 fence (with a fence top also) so no predator problem, but he’s not sleeping inside? Is this okay? Should I make him go inside with the girls and shut the door to it or let him sleep on top.

Show pic of coop and run, please?

Another question too. We have bought a new 8x10 coop and want to keep the little coop for when the rooster might get mean. How do I teach them to go to the new coop at bedtime? You all have been great so thanks in advance for helping me.

Close up or remove the small coop, then lock them in to the new coop for a few days.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Should I make him go inside with the girls and shut the door to it or let him sleep on top.

I did not see your general location so I don't know what kind of weather you will be facing. If you consider that area predator safe and that he can handle the weather it's your choice. People do it both ways.

How do I teach them to go to the new coop at bedtime?

Some of this depends on your set-up, but the way I do this is to wait until it is dark and lock them in the new coop. I just toss them on the coop floor and lock the door. They will manage to sleep. Some people like to put them on the roosts. I lock the old coop so they cannot go back inside. My grow-out coop and main coop are at opposite ends of the run. Sometimes that's all I need to do, they make the move and go to bed at bedtime in the new coop. Sometimes all or some go back to the old coop and try to sleep in that area. I wait until it's dark and and they are easy to catch and lock them back in the new coop overnight. I'm consistent in putting them in the new coop after dark and they eventually all get the message.

If the two coops are separated and do not share a run I'd lock them in the new coop for a few days as mentioned above or (especially if it is kind of small) lock them in the coop and run and train them to use the new coop at night by locking them inside after dark if needed.

At three months and no adults for integration issues I don't anticipate a lot of problems. And they are young enough that they are not now laying so you don't have to worry about training them to use new nests.

 

[Jami F]

Sleeping on top of the coop: if it's safe from predators, then whether it is a problem will depend on the weather. (Sleeping outside in rain or snow might not be a good idea.) As for why he sleeps outside, the little coop might be too small for that number of chickens, or the hens might chase him out, or he might just like the fresh air outside.



New coop: put them all in and keep them there for several days (day and night), and they will get used to sleeping there. Or if you want to let them out in the daytime, put them in each afternoon before bedtime, so when evening comes they are already inside and will put themselves to bed in there.

After several days or maybe a week, they should be used to sleeping in the new coop. The first few days that you let them back out in the daytime, check at night to make sure they really did go to sleep in the right place.

 

[Jami F]

Great help. Thanks to you all. I really appreciate it.

 

[Jami F]

Show pic of coop and run, please?

Close up or remove the small coop, then lock them in to the new coop for a few days.

Old coop and new coop beside it. Taking down old coop fence since they free range all day.

 

[Jami F]

Show pic of coop and run, please?

Close up or remove the small coop, then lock them in to the new coop for a few days.

Old coop and new coop beside it. Taking down old coop fence since they free range all day.

Thanks!

 

[aart]

Old coop and new coop beside it. Taking down old coop fence since they free range all day.

Oh, that's a HUGE improvement for space!
Might need to add some windows and ventilation to taht big shed.

Oh, and..... Welcome to BYC! @Jami F
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Jami F]

Oh, that's a HUGE improvement for space!
Might need to add some windows and ventilation to taht big shed.

Oh, and..... Welcome to BYC! @Jami F
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2370768

 

[Jami F]

Thanks. You taught me how!!