Will they eventually use the roost bar?

[Richard Pryor]

The small chicks go out briefly during the day. The big chicks are not bullying them so much anymore. But I guess the small ones are still afraid. They go out, peck for a bit, and go back in.

 

[Richard Pryor]

I just went inside and put all the smaller chicks on the roost bar. So far so good. 30 mins later they're still there.

Went inside the coop and apparently I have 4 sleeping on a truss, including my beloved Shirley Temple. I blame it on her friends. Such a bad influence. She's a saint.

I believe they're being manipulated by this one. I suspected he was a roo from day 1 and even named him Paco. He was making weird sounds when I was in there placing the baby chicks. I didn't get a good vibe from it. He wasn't happy. Neither was I.

 

[aart]

Hopefully the ones on the edge of the board don't wake up full of poop!

Many of mine sleep on the board under the roosts(and butts)....I have rarely seen poop on a birds back, it must just roll off... haha!!

I'd be installing a chicken wire 'ceiling' to the bottom of the rafters, pronto, to keep them from roosting on them.

 

[Richard Pryor]

Thx @aart, will do.

I'm wondering if I should force the little ones out of the coop during the day and lock the doors. I'd like them to hang out outside. Concern is heat. It's been getting hot during the day, and the big ones claim most of the good spots with shade. They come out briefly and sometimes get chased in by the big ones.

 

[aart]

Do you have a run...or free range?
Either way, having places for the littles to 'hide' and get shade could help convince them to spend more time outside. I wouldn't force it tho.

 

[Richard Pryor]

I have a 50'x50' fenced area. I have some plywood outside leaned against walls and a few roost bars. They seem to be going out more and more every day. I leave coop door (big door) open all day as well as the pop door.

Tonight the small ones did not use the roost either. I went out and put them on the roost again. Covered the trusses with chicken wire so things are a bit more crowded. Shirley Temple and her crew were not happy when they saw they couldn't get up there.

 

[Richard Pryor]

10 days later, things have changed a bit. The middle ones are larger and less scared of the big ones. Less bullying going on. Most go to the roost on their own except a few of the smaller ones (6 today, 9 yesterday, 10 the day before).

 

[Richard Pryor]

There's a big Buff Orpington (or EE maybe I can't tell) sleeping with the smaller ones on the edge, a Buff sleeping next to the smaller pack and a Barred Rock sleeping between 2 small chick packs. Fingers crossed but I think mission accomplished.

 

[aart]

It'll shift and change over time, especially after the littles start laying, as the pecking order is fluid....but it sure looks like they are getting the hang of it!