Questions for new chickens

[Mamachic1967]

 

[aart]

Oh poor little snub nosed

The roost is too close to the wall, should be at least 10-12" away.

Can you take a pic from farther away?

Coop looks tight ...might be able to put a poop board and roost on top of nests?

 

[GitaBooks]

Those are pretty hens. I have some that are the exact same color and are some of my friendliest chickens. One of them, Maroon, is also one of my oldest. She is calm and confident and likes treats.

Here are some pictures of my flock, enjoying the expanded run after the winter snows when they were cooped up in the barn

 

[Mamachic1967]

The coop is 10 feet by 7 feet for 12 chickens; 11 of them are in there now. I agree the roosts are too close to the wall. They roost on them, but we plan on moving them. I could add a roost above the one set of nesting boxes. I added 2 boards for the time being and they seem to like that.

 

[aart]

The coop is 10 feet by 7 feet for 12 chickens; 11 of them are in there now. I agree the roosts are too close to the wall. They roost on them, but we plan on moving them. I could add a roost above the one set of nesting boxes. I added 2 boards for the time being and they seem to like that.

Ahhh..... now I can see it.

I would put all the nests on the wall where the roosts are now, bottom of nests about a foot above the floor.
Then build a poop board 24" wide with roost 8" above board in the center on top of the nests.

 

[Mamachic1967]

Love your pics! Yur chickens look healthy and happy! Thank you for your suggestions. I think our problem is we had insufficient roosts. We're going to remove the top board on the roost so that there's just the lower one, then it will be 12" out from wall. Then we're going to move the whole roost up higher closer to the nesting boxes, along them to roost near the boxes to check them out before deciding which one they like best. We're going to run a long roost along the 7 foot wall above the nesting boxes and place a long board under the roost to catch the poop. Also we're going to add another roost above the other nesting boxes on the opposite wall. This way there will be 3 separate roosts up high for all 12 of them.

The waterer will go underneath the lower nesting boxes so there will be no room to jump up on it. As for the pail feeder we will place a plastic dome plant cover on top. It is circular and rounded on top, no way for them to get on and stay.

I'm enjoying this learning as we go, the chickens are teaching me what they want and need. Plus Backyard Chickens are Lifesavors! I will post new pics tomorrow after alterations are complete. Thank you!

 

[carfenn]

I'm loving this website! Such great info for "newbies". I have 6 pullets approx. 7 - 8 weeks and I'm putting them out tomorrow in the coop!

I feel like I did when my kids went off to college! I want to be sure they are ready...but with the great info in here, I feel confident they will be fine. I'm going to watch their behavior all morning to see how well they will adapt. Nice weather too, 80 during the day and 60's at night for most of the week so I thought best this is a great time. I've been putting it off...like a reluctant mother.
Happy 4th all!!!!

 

[Mamachic1967]

I know what you mean! Welcome! This site is amazing, supportive and helpful!