Trailer Coop Build (Pic heavy)

[Ted Brown]

Excellent! When I moved my first 7 into their new coop it was much the same, they slept in a pile in one corner. Unlike you I had to ask here what to do - wait till dark then move them to the roost. They learn quick.

Very good job you must feel good.

 

[ColoradoPip]

Excellent! When I moved my first 7 into their new coop it was much the same, they slept in a pile in one corner. Unlike you I had to ask here what to do - wait till dark then move them to the roost. They learn quick.

Hah, I'm sure I knew what to do through reading on here over the years. I checked on them several times, then this morning they were all still in the same spots. However, they wouldn't move! I had to take them off the roosts

I know they'll get the hang of it, they are so used to a tiny coop with no ramps inside and roost bars a step up to. This is a great change for them!

Very good job you must feel good.

Thanks...for sure it does!! Just need to paint the trim and I can call the coop part of things good for now. Now to get these chicks inside soon!

 

[ColoradoPip]

It's possible I can't stop building. Was not happy with the ramps and made new 10" wide ones. The girls seem to appreciate it and are using them more often.

I had to build a small food and ouster shell holder with a roof. I'll add pics, it's nothing special.

Day 2 I found eggs inside, in random corners lol. The girls started going in the new coop for sleep on evening 2 also. I still move them to roosts, it'll take a bit for them to get used to this arrangement.

Tomorrow the chicks move in!

 

[aart]

It's possible I can't stop building. Was not happy with the ramps and made new 10" wide ones. The girls seem to appreciate it and are using them more often.

Nah, things will need to be tweaked as you observe their function.
Remember to give each new change a few days to work before more changes.
Eventually the building bug withdrawal will be complete(maybe).

Day 2 I found eggs inside, in random corners lol.

Have you shown them the nests, and put some fake eggs in there?

 

[Ted Brown]

Have you shown them the nests, and put some fake eggs in there?

I very recently found a golf ball and put it a nest box that previoulsy had a wooden fake egg inside, moved the wooden egg to the nest box that had rarely been used. While it is still not used on a full time basis, some of my pullets have started to use it maybe 50% of the time. Now have all four of my nest boxes being used, it works

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Those little ramps, I did not think the girl "needed" them but being the softie I am, while looking at the jump they'd make from the floor through the door, I felt like it would be nicer to have a little ramp to walk up and down. I also didn't need a small platform outside of the door and could have attached the ramp just under the door, but added the platform to make it a bit nicer for the chickens

Aw that is so sweet! I am the same way with my chickens. I have a hen that I could only fix one foot of her crooked toes when she was a chick and another with chronic bumblefoot that numerous vet bills and surgeries didn't fix so daily I pick them both up from their roost, give them a little snuggle, and put them on the floor. They are both the last ones on the roost so I think they know I'll be there to help them!

 

[ColoradoPip]

Eventually the building bug withdrawal will be complete(maybe).

Let's hope!

Have you shown them the nests, and put some fake eggs in there?

No. I guess I may need to figure out how to put a fake egg into a rollaway box. Hmmm.

I think they are not used to going up a ramp to lay, not used to so much space either. They tend to stay within a couple feet of the door to lay or sleep.

 

[aart]

No. I guess I may need to figure out how to put a fake egg into a rollaway box. Hmmm.

Might start with some bedding in there to hold the fakies and get them used to using the new location, then slowly remove bedding to facilitate the rolling aspect.

 

[ColoradoPip]

Move in day 2. The chicks!

It took a bunch of trips with a tote and everyone settled in quickly!! Unfortunately my waterer wasn't done yet so they get an open one until tomorrow.

Then I opened the coop door so the big girls could see them. No suprise only one cared, mother hen gave them a glance and went back outside. LoL

Everytime I checked on the chicks, they were looking out the window. Then tonight they are all asleep piled up in front of the window!

Guess they don't need the heat plate which is 4ft away. LoL

 

[Ted Brown]

You must feel very pleased with yourself!

I was a bit surprised to see how big, how old are they? It would seem to me that they can be integrated very quickly, what are your plans in that regard?

Also, would think that they would be anxious to roost. I had to carry my first set of pullets from a pile to the roosts to acclimatize but it only took 3-4 nights of going out after dark and moving them before they did it on their own.

You have some interesting days ahead.