Where do free range momma and chicks sleep?

[natemoore1986]

Just curious where a free range mother hen and her brood of chicks would sleep. Could young chicks follow their mother up a ladder or ramp to get into a roost?

 

[azygous]

Chicks under one week will have a problem trying to get into any nest other than at ground level. Toward the end of week one, chicks have enough wing development to make hops of a few inches. By the end of week two, they can flutter up to a nest a foot off the ground. Maybe more.

 

[natemoore1986]

Chicks under one week will have a problem trying to get into any nest other than at ground level. Toward the end of week one, chicks have enough wing development to make hops of a few inches. By the end of week two, they can flutter up to a nest a foot off the ground. Maybe more.

So for now, the seven gallon bucket on the ground is good. Awesome.

 

[ChickForLife]

So for now, the seven gallon bucket on the ground is good. Awesome.

Also, the mama might go down and sleep with her chicks if there is no heat lamp.

 

[natemoore1986]

Also, the mama might go down and sleep with her chicks if there is no heat lamp.

For now, all they have (mom and her one chick) is the 7 gallon bucket and a tarp to give them shade. I'm designing a new coop that can hold up to 12 roosting chickens. I'm wondering if very young chicks can walk up a slightly inclined ramp to the coop? I'm only going to elevate it about a 15" above the ground so they can have shade underneath.

 

[azygous]

Baby chicks have no problem with ramps, especially after the first week. I do, however, recommend stapling a non-skid material onto the ramp temporarily to give tiny claws traction.

 

[ChickForLife]

Baby chicks have no problem with ramps, especially after the first week. I do, however, recommend stapling a non-skid material onto the ramp temporarily to give tiny claws traction.

That is a very good idea!

 

[natemoore1986]

I've had the new coop ready for occupancy for several days, but she still prefers the bucket on the ground.