- May 8, 2011
- 10
- 0
- 22
Hi and HELP.
This is my first experience with the chickens (my new best friends!), and I am concerned about some safety issues regarding their roost.
My chicks (6) are now 10 weeks old and are getting heavy. They are trying to "fly" down off the top roost board. They won't go down to the next lower level, like steps. They want to go out their hatch into the run. A couple of them are getting heavy enough that they don't make it through the hatch and have come close to crashing into the wall. This is not a small coop.7'x9' (long) The roost area starts about 5' from the hatch wall. The 3 roost "steps" are each 16" apart and at a 16" angle. Each step (roost board) is 1 1/2 " wide. The hatch door is 8' away from the top roost board and close to the floor of the coop.
My questions:
1. Should my roost boards(where they actually sit) be wider? The chicks seem uncertain about them-(standing wobbly)- when trying to go from one to another.
2. Should the boards also be closer together so they are more like a ladder?
3. Should I make another ladder to go from the top to the bottom for them to walk down? Would they actually use it?
4. Should I clip their wings now, or is it too early? They do make some distance, but not always safely.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
A new "mom"
Gardengirl Sandi
1 buff Brahma, 1 golden lace Wyandotte, 1 gold sex link 1 barred Plymouth rock, 1 Australop and 1 Rhode Island red= very pretty girls
This is my first experience with the chickens (my new best friends!), and I am concerned about some safety issues regarding their roost.
My chicks (6) are now 10 weeks old and are getting heavy. They are trying to "fly" down off the top roost board. They won't go down to the next lower level, like steps. They want to go out their hatch into the run. A couple of them are getting heavy enough that they don't make it through the hatch and have come close to crashing into the wall. This is not a small coop.7'x9' (long) The roost area starts about 5' from the hatch wall. The 3 roost "steps" are each 16" apart and at a 16" angle. Each step (roost board) is 1 1/2 " wide. The hatch door is 8' away from the top roost board and close to the floor of the coop.
My questions:
1. Should my roost boards(where they actually sit) be wider? The chicks seem uncertain about them-(standing wobbly)- when trying to go from one to another.
2. Should the boards also be closer together so they are more like a ladder?
3. Should I make another ladder to go from the top to the bottom for them to walk down? Would they actually use it?
4. Should I clip their wings now, or is it too early? They do make some distance, but not always safely.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
A new "mom"
Gardengirl Sandi
1 buff Brahma, 1 golden lace Wyandotte, 1 gold sex link 1 barred Plymouth rock, 1 Australop and 1 Rhode Island red= very pretty girls