When to let new pullet roost at night with older hen

[Sonya9]

Might look at putting some windows and vents in the dog house.

Good point, I just noticed the dog house pic. A window with hardware cloth to the right of the door might do the trick, though with a house that size the older hen may want the whole thing to herself for now.

It also does not look predator proof and if it isn't then IMO it doesn't really matter where the pullet sleeps as long as she doesn't get caught outside in a storm.

 

[jreardon1918]

As long as they get along during the day I would let them settle it themselves at night. The older birds decide when the juveniles are "allowed" to roost with them. If your older hen won't let the pullet up on the roost don't sweat it, that is perfectly normal and will work itself out in the coming weeks.

Our young ones are now almost 10 weeks. They moved themselves out of the in run brooder to the floor of the coop at about 7 weeks. Now two of them are on the roost, the rest sleep on a log in the coop. I imagine they will all end up on the roost soon. They are working it out themselves.

 

[LisaRN]

Might look at putting some windows and vents in the dog house.

I have vents cut out on all sides and an extra door that has been added to the front, I also put in a small home made ice chest A/C with a fan at night.

 

[LisaRN]

Good point, I just noticed the dog house pic. A window with hardware cloth to the right of the door might do the trick, though with a house that size the older hen may want the whole thing to herself for now.

It also does not look predator proof and if it isn't then IMO it doesn't really matter where the pullet sleeps as long as she doesn't get caught outside in a storm.

Since that picture has been taken I have added an extra door to the right of the original opening and have vents on the side. The entire run is predator proof and closed at night, but the "coop" dog house remains open.

 

[LisaRN]

Our young ones are now almost 10 weeks. They moved themselves out of the in run brooder to the floor of the coop at about 7 weeks. Now two of them are on the roost, the rest sleep on a log in the coop. I imagine they will all end up on the roost soon. They are working it out themselves.

Thank you, I bet at some point they will be together in there. Right now the pullet had been wanting to sleep on top of the dog house.

 

[LisaRN]

Might look at putting some windows and vents in the dog house.

Updated picture

 

[LisaRN]

Good point, I just noticed the dog house pic. A window with hardware cloth to the right of the door might do the trick, though with a house that size the older hen may want the whole thing to herself for now.

It also does not look predator proof and if it isn't then IMO it doesn't really matter where the pullet sleeps as long as she doesn't get caught outside in a storm.

Updated picture with windows on sides too

 

[aart]

I have vents cut out on all sides and an extra door that has been added to the front, I also put in a small home made ice chest A/C with a fan at night.

Is it humid where you are?
What are the temps?
Just watch it doesn't get too humid inside coop.

 

[LisaRN]

Is it humid where you are?
What are the temps?
Just watch it doesn't get too humid inside coop.

Very dry heat here, but that is a good thing to keep in mind. During the summer the temps during the day are usually high 90s up to 110, lows are usually in the 70s. In the winter the highs are generally in the 50s with lows in the 30s to 40s.