Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[pennyJo1960]

I can hardly wait to take down the old coop till that it will be part of the garden.

 

[ValerieJ]

Good morning Washingtonians! Hope you have a wonderful day!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Did make out scrape the crap today before they roosted .. have rain this evening but not heavy just annoying. DH brought wood in I went out gathered smalls I can put in with the bigger pieces.

 

[Sequel]

I agree PennyJo, the rain is irritating. But I’ll sure take it over the freezing rain and snow!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Dinner is over no leftovers, headed out think I will have a another 5 day.
Also want to close their door they had it blocked, want to make sure they have not done it again.
Seems to be a favorite to do.

 

[RR funky chick house]

So, this week has been interesting! Our new flock (youngers) decided that they wanted to perch with the big girls on their perch at night:

so, that's now 11 birds squishing into a 6' perch - cozy! So I think I'm gonna do a good thing and put up another perch to make more space and this is the result:

Now everyone is squishing onto a smaller perch! I didn't think height would make that big a difference but obviously I was in error

Will they ever spread out to use both perches?

 

[Hinotori]

So, this week has been interesting! Our new flock (youngers) decided that they wanted to perch with the big girls on their perch at night:View attachment 3362632so, that's now 11 birds squishing into a 6' perch - cozy! So I think I'm gonna do a good thing and put up another perch to make more space and this is the result:

View attachment 3362635
Now everyone is squishing onto a smaller perch! I didn't think height would make that big a difference but obviously I was in error

Will they ever spread out to use both perches?

I have equal height roosts. Everyone has a prefered spot. They fight over the back left corner so even that doesn't stop fights.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I have 1 big table 2 smaller going to cut the big one in half for the new coop but all are the same height.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

Yes, if the roost is all on the same level that is a huge help, yes there is still going to be a favored spot. In the old coop, before we moved, I had 2 6foot long roosts. They both were to the back of the coop, one was closer to the wall but far enough away from the wall so their tail just barely touched the wall and the other was in front of that with enough space in-between so a hens face wasn't stuck in another's tail. Well, all the chickens I ever had in that coop fought for the very back roost and wanted the left corner, the lowest ranking hen always ended up on the fount roost, back to the rest of the hens or she would get her head pecked.

now I have one 12 foot roost, lots of room,


there are 2 favorite spots, #1 next to the wall by the door and #2 on the 2 cross braces, I know its cold out and they like to bunch up on the front end. I am sure as the weather warms up they'll spread out. There are 2 that will sleep all by themselves at the far end, but I don't have roost fights any more.

 

[pennyJo1960]

If you want roosts that is the way to solve it.
Dad taught me birds roost and sleep harder if they are not balancing.
Not sure how true, heck free tables they are pallets re imagined.
Have one big one cut it down to the same size as the others to go in the
new coop.
Going to Auction the 8th buy like 6 new layers put them in the little coop.