"Won't Leave The Nest"

[bean oller]

Second night with the "girls", had to help remind them to go "upstairs" to sleep, always trying to sleep/roost on the feeder, actually Gwendolyn was roosting on the rim and the rest of them were jammed inside. I do leave the door to the coop open, the run is secure so I'm thinking thats ok? Now comes this morning and I went to say good morning to them and they were all still in the coop. Do I help them down in the morning if they are not down to eat yet? It was around 7:30 so not too early. I also notice they seem to be messing up the pine chips under the roost, are they "dusting" and should I add a dust bath? I was waiting to do that after the free ranging starts (2 weeks as to let them get to know their house first). Thanks for any advice

 

[iwiw60]

Second night with the "girls", had to help remind them to go "upstairs" to sleep, always trying to sleep/roost on the feeder, actually Gwendolyn was roosting on the rim and the rest of them were jammed inside. I do leave the door to the coop open, the run is secure so I'm thinking thats ok? Now comes this morning and I went to say good morning to them and they were all still in the coop. Do I help them down in the morning if they are not down to eat yet? It was around 7:30 so not too early. I also notice they seem to be messing up the pine chips under the roost, are they "dusting" and should I add a dust bath? I was waiting to do that after the free ranging starts (2 weeks as to let them get to know their house first). Thanks for any advice

Without some pics of your coop interior to look at it's hard to give you any advice. Maybe the roost is too steep? Or so high they can't "get there from here"? Etc., etc.

As for letting them 'down' .. I wouldn't. Trust me, they'll figure it out and fly down! And yes, give them a dust bath setup...they need that for sure.

 

[bean oller]

Thanks for your help, the girls were up and down all day yesterday!! Added a dust bath for them also. I appreciate all the advice from everyone and BYC is an awesome resource!! I will add some pictures soon