Rooster Questions

[Enchanted1s]

BTW - the fenced area that I had around the structure was to keep the goats out. I made a door for the chickens to come and go as the please. I decided - if I am going to be building more coops etc. - I need more area without goats! There is a $uge difference in a goat proof structure and an bird structure!!

I was using 12 foot gates to enclose the structure - on these last warmer days, I moved the goat fence. The bird section is now approximately 40' by 50'. They still have their door to come and go, but seem to be confused because I moved it. They are funny.

Note sure what I will do with the area yet, but I hope to get the babies coop built by the time they are able to go outside. They are 3 weeks today. Now, at least I can work in peace!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You have a nice outdoor space! Hopefully with the modifications, they will be happier.

 

[KentuckyRooster]

Those are some pointy neck feathers. Rosie may be a rooster. Wait for others to chime in and confirm but...I think that may be the root of your issues.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

You have a nice outdoor space! Hopefully with the modifications, they will be happier.

X2

Those are some pointy neck feathers. Rosie may be a rooster. Wait for others to chime in and confirm but...I think that may be the root of your issues.

I personally think Rosie is a pullet, but I think you may be better off separating her/him until you know what she/he is. Just my 2 cents.

 

[keesmom]

Let me see what pics I have of Rosie. It is hard to get good, close pics of her..

Here is Tina - the friendly one - 1 Dec 17
View attachment 1213774

Here is Rosie - scared of everything & everyone. 15 Dec 17
View attachment 1213778

They are pullets.

Is the aggression limited to roosting time?

 

[Enchanted1s]

They are pullets.

Is the aggression limited to roosting time?

It seems to be limited to roosting and snacks. The rest of the time the four are usually soaking up the sun together.

So - after redoing the roosts in the box... It seemed like there were less problems - meaning Rudy did not run the pullets out three times before letting them stay. BUT - this morning - I open the box from the front to see who is where. (I usually open the side, pull, door). Much to my surprise - only Tootie was on a roost! Rudy and both pullets were in the nesting box! I'm going to give it a couple of days to see how things go. They seem to take a bit of time with change. The pullets had always nested on the roosts before. If they continue sleeping in there, I will find a way to close it off I suppose - I really don't see the problem with them sleeping in the box. I provide other boxes for laying their eggs. EDIT, Edit, edit!!

...Thinking of this later - I did not actually see Rudy in the laying box this morning. I let him out the front door before looking in. I was assuming he was in the box but I bet dollars to donuts he was on the other roost. This makes since - and I am guessing the pullets would prefer to roost - since they always have... If I block of the box they slept in, I am assuming Rudy would push them out again?

It is really cold out there, for me and my metal spine! I stand out there waiting for everyone to get along so I can lock them in for the night! I don't have many more warm days to work outside left this year. I made the pullets a corner to get away from the older two - it wouldn't take too much to enclose it and put a door??? Will they work it out? or is one of them going to get hurt? NOTE: the corner coop would not be as draft free as the current coop - but we are not talking REALLY cold winter here in the desert - most of the time. The easiest solution is to let them work it out in their current coop. We are only talking about 4 birds. BUT, I would have regrets for some time if one of them gets hurt and I could have prevented it.

Your thoughts appreciated.

 

[Enchanted1s]

UPDATE - well it looks like all of the girls are sleeping on the 2x4 roosts in the box. Rudy, is now sleeping alone in the laying box attached to the side. We had to be somewhere ad sun down today, but I locked everyone in the structure before we left. When I got home, I locked up the coop an peeked inside to confirm where everyone was roosting. So, for the past two nights - less fussing about going in and Rudy alone in the laying box.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's great! I hope they continue to do well, you have some lovely girls and he is very handsome

 

[Enchanted1s]

Now that I have things back to calm amongst the older birds - it is time to figure out what to do with these 3 babies! The are getting big and my gag reflex is being tested twice daily while I clean their indoor condo! I need to get them a coop built so that they can be seen but not touched for a few weeks. I am considering a temporary shelter that I can put outside, but right next to the house for wind protection AND power for their heat plate. I still worry about putting them out when it is below freezing at night.

Anyway - I hope to start building the second coop soon. I hope that some of you will follow me to that new thread as I really want to build this right the first time!! Once I get the foundation laid - I will start a new thread to keep track of my progress AND hopefully to get advise - BEFORE I mess it up. I'm a little concerned that the older birds may try to take over the new coop before I get it finished and the babies in it.

Funny story... In planning for building the new coop, I found a good deal on 100' of ½ inch hardware cloth. I ordered it and it was scheduled to arrive Wed. The time kept being pushed... finally at about 8:30pm a U-Haul truck pulls up and starts unloading a BIG - Team Lift - box. I said 'I hope that is not what is in that box?' The box said it was a Big & Tall Executive Chair! I open the busted box enough to see that it is in fact a chair! I check the shipping label, and it had my info on it! No one at Amazon has an answer as to how I received a chair instead of my fencing! Now I am waiting again for my hardware cloth. LOL I was buying it as a return from Amazon Warehouse - it was about $40 less than new! But - it was NOT a chair! Though I am guessing the babies would have fun pooping all over it - I doubt it would keep them safe or contained.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's so funny! Yes, the littles would have loved a chair to poop on!

Getting those babies outside is a good idea! The sooner the better I say. Chicks are easily contained by chicken wire - but predators are always a worry. Hopefully you will find a solution and get them out so you can start the integration process.

Good luck on the coop build, looking forward to see how it turns out.