Stupid Newbie Question

[aart]

Tonight when I shut down the lights and took out the food the 6 Little’s were all hanging out right below and in front of the roost where the EE’s roost.

On the floor....or the lower roost? They're probably just too 'young' yet to make their way to top roost, it's a pecking order thing. Once they start laying they'll gain 'status'.

My delaying in making a ramp to the roosts and nesting boxes needs to end!

I don't think you need a ramp to either, they can jump up to/down from the roosts easy...do need a perch about 8" in front of the nests tho.
Would be good to have a 12" landing area/'porch' at top of pop door ramp, half a concrete block under the low end to reduce angle, and maybe more cleats.

Wonders what's outside the pop door?

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

On the floor....or the lower roost? They're probably just too 'young' yet to make their way to top roost, it's a pecking order thing. Once they start laying they'll gain 'status'.



I don't think you need a ramp to either, they can jump up to/down from the roosts easy...do need a perch about 8" in front of the nests tho.
Would be good to have a 12" landing area/'porch' at top of pop door ramp, half a concrete block under the low end to reduce angle, and maybe more cleats.

Wonders what's outside the pop door?

LOL! What's outside the pop door? SNOW! We've gotten a foot overnight and more is coming down! Outside needs serious attention. I have just a 2x6 propped up, no cleats or any thing else.

The porch is a great idea and would be helpful.
They were roosted on the edge of the dust bath so basicly the floor in front of the roosts.

 

[dfalchek]

Good luck. EEs are typically the victims of bully chickens.

 

[aart]

Good luck. EEs are typically the victims of bully chickens.

Nah...I've had a couple EE's that were top girls.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Ethel is still the numero uno so far.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Here are some better pics! The final one is of my first Wyandotte Egg! A Wyandotte got in the prime nest box and re-arranged the straw to her liking. When I came in the coop to fill the waterer this morning, Ethel was in the box and not moving. I threw down some scratch and she came out and behold! I found her egg and a little buddy alongside it. So, with that I can pronounce acclimation complete. We’ll see what continues with the roosting situation...

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

@aart Another update. After shoveling 4000 pounds of snow yesterday, I was going to have a rest day. But with 50+ degrees, I just couldn’t do it. I have been mulling your suggestions regarding the pop door ramp and made alterations today with a porch, more cleats, and shallower grade on the ramp. I also finally hung the feeder and waterer off the floor/bedding. Here are a couple pics from my updates today.

The outside still needs work, but that will be another day. Plus the birds are not showing much interest in heading outside, even though I told them it’s nice out today. Even with all my racket and commotion, they just wander around under my ladder, LOL!

 

[aart]

Ramp and landing area look great!

Those nests look awfully full of bedding, precarious place to lay an egg.

I too shoveled a ton of snow in the last 2 weeks, shoveled a bunch of slush today, chopped a foot of packed snow off a shed roof the day before it warmed up. Crazy thaw.....VERY glad most of it seems to be soaking into the ground. Temps will plummet tonite and lock up anything left over into icebergs.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Ramp and landing area look great!

Those nests look awfully full of bedding, precarious place to lay an egg.

I too shoveled a ton of snow in the last 2 weeks, shoveled a bunch of slush today, chopped a foot of packed snow off a shed roof the day before it warmed up. Crazy thaw.....VERY glad most of it seems to be soaking into the ground. Temps will plummet tonite and lock up anything left over into icebergs.

Good catch, I refreshed the nesting material as well today and went overboard. Went back this afternoon and took an inch out of each of the 2 boxes that were too full.

 

[aart]

Good catch, I refreshed the nesting material as well today and went overboard. Went back this afternoon and took an inch out of each of the 2 boxes that were too full.

I keep bedding below front of nest....maybe add more wood to front?