The Open Coop Saga

[LaurenRitz]

My chickens free range dawn to dusk.

I have two coops. Because coop 2 includes the broody box and brooder that coop tends to have the chicks and adolescents.

The older chickens, roos and hens, seem to prefer the peace and (relative) quiet of coop 1.

I have pretty much let the birds figure out their own balance. Thus, the "open coop" title.

I gave 3 pullets to a friend last week, which I think disrupted the balance. And then these single digit temperatures hit, which only a few of the birds have ever experienced.

When I closed up last night there were only 4 birds in coop 2. Maybe 5. The rest had migrated to coop 1. Even the single bird that always sleeps open in the rafters opted for the closed coop.

I guess it has the advantage of not getting snowed on. It also has a true shelter, which coop 2 lacks.

Two of the birds are starting to ground nest in coop 1, which adds another dimension.

It will be interesting to see how it works out. Will the young birds go back once it warms up a little? Will the rafter rooster (lol, she's definitely not a rooster!) go back to the rafters? Will the outside sleepers, who returned inside when winter hit, go back to sleeping on the roof of the coop?

The saga continues...

 

[Sally PB]

Looking forward to the next chapter!

 

[Paz]

My chickens free range dawn to dusk.

I have two coops. Because coop 2 includes the broody box and brooder that coop tends to have the chicks and adolescents.

The older chickens, roos and hens, seem to prefer the peace and (relative) quiet of coop 1.

I have pretty much let the birds figure out their own balance. Thus, the "open coop" title.

I gave 3 pullets to a friend last week, which I think disrupted the balance. And then these single digit temperatures hit, which only a few of the birds have ever experienced.

When I closed up last night there were only 4 birds in coop 2. Maybe 5. The rest had migrated to coop 1. Even the single bird that always sleeps open in the rafters opted for the closed coop.

I guess it has the advantage of not getting snowed on. It also has a true shelter, which coop 2 lacks.

Two of the birds are starting to ground nest in coop 1, which adds another dimension.

It will be interesting to see how it works out. Will the young birds go back once it warms up a little? Will the rafter rooster (lol, she's definitely not a rooster!) go back to the rafters? Will the outside sleepers, who returned inside when winter hit, go back to sleeping on the roof of the coop?

The saga continues...

It was 7 degrees at night a couple of days ago, I forgot to check everyone was in the coop, before locking it for the night, it was already dark and I figured they must all be inside. Turns out three were sleeping on the roof, found them in the morning sand bathing (mud bathing), having the time of their lives.

I bet 7 degrees Fahrenheit is much colder though...
I anticipate the roof sleepers will go back to sleep on the roof once it's warm enough.
Waiting for chapter 2

 

[townchicks]

Amazing how they seem to know, isn't it?

 

[LaurenRitz]

Amazing how they seem to know, isn't it?

Not really. When they were sleeping outside in a pounding rain, huddled up with sleet on their feathers, I drove them off the roof and into the coop.

 

[LaurenRitz]

It was 7 degrees at night a couple of days ago, I forgot to check everyone was in the coop, before locking it for the night, it was already dark and I figured they must all be inside. Turns out three were sleeping on the roof, found them in the morning sand bathing (mud bathing), having the time of their lives.

I bet 7 degrees Fahrenheit is much colder though...
I anticipate the roof sleepers will go back to sleep on the roof once it's warm enough.
Waiting for chapter 2

Last night it was -14 C, or 6 F. A little colder, yes.

 

[Paz]

Last night it was -14 C, or 6 F. A little colder, yes.

Yes, very cold

 

[LaurenRitz]

Temperature was -4. When I got up my outdoor thermometer told me firmly that it wanted to come in.

Last night when I locked up the chickees the teenagers had piled up in the nesting boxes rather than using the roosts. The roof sleeper and the rafter sleeper were inside.

Have to apologize to @townchicks. Yes, somehow they know.

 

[Vicker]

I have three coops for different stages/purposes. Mine all ultimately choose the coop set up in a barn stall. Occasionally, one is missing at evening head count. Last week I found a missing bird nestled in a hollowed out spot at the bottom of a round bale. Warm, yes, but not predator proof. I'm always impressed when I find out the next morning that I'd locked one out and they survived the monsters all night.