When to let new pullet roost at night with older hen

[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.

 

[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.

 

[LisaRN]

So, you only have two birds in total?
Your 4 year old BR has been a Spinster for how long now?
Please send a picture of each for size comparison.
A picture of the roost is also helpful.

Sadly we lost two of our other chickens, so our barred rock was on her own for a about 3 months. The pullet is fairly large, but the barred rock is not fully accepting of her yet. They free range the back yard almost all day, we have an enclosed 10x 5 run with a large dog houset that has a 2x4 roost running the length of the inside. I know it is not a perfect set up, but it worked well for us in the past.

 

[LisaRN]

Yes, thats sad.
Nothing is perfect and it works for you, so thats good.
Give her time. Hand feed them together. Watch so the babe doesnt get beat up.
When they are in the enclosure together have secret hideouts for the lil one for when she is chased. You can put the lil one on the roost at night after Big Mama is in for the night.
You can try it and check on her in the early morning.
Fingers are crossed.

Thank you

 

[LisaRN]

Really I would just let her decide. Stop locking her up in the container, leave the container in there. She may choose it, or she may choose the roost.

Mrs K

That's a good idea, thanks! She might just find another place to sleep in the run, but hopefully she will roost with the other one eventually. It is HOT here right now, so she would be comfortable sleeping in the run temperature wise

Quote Reply

 

[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