[poultrygeist]

If you could get a perch inside the coop, I think they would be happier.

As long as the coop doesn't have draughts blowing across where the hens are perched (but ventilation at roof level), they should be warm enough. They generate a lot of heat themselves and will huddle together on teh perches to keep warm.

Rob

[Roughlee Handled]

It may be force of habit. Give them a couple of days.  Or Clip one wing so they can not fly up.

[peewee_lane]

I'm going about perches today for the inside, but clipping wings stuart? How do you go about that, and is it okay?

[Roughlee Handled]

It is fine does not hurt chuck.  
Here is what Aunt Sally says
"Traditionally it's the left wing that's clipped. This diagram should sjow you how much to clip off: "


http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=11410
All you need is a sharp pair of scissors and may be an extra pair of hands.

[richyrich7]

two are sneezing and its Ireland and blooming cold at night!

keep an eye on the sneezing the cold won't do that, is there plenty of air in the coop without it being draughty ?

[peewee_lane]

There is plenty of air in the coop yes, and the nesting box is large and well ventilated. The two RIR's came to me with a sneeze on them. I thought they developed it from the move but now others are sneezing.

Anyways, yesterday two perches were installed inside the nesting area and only two (the ones who are laying) went inside. Today am going to block upstairs off.

[Roughlee Handled]

two are sneezing and its Ireland and blooming cold at night!

Err two things about the sneezing  I reread your first post and firstly you mention

...................it only took 3 days for them to realise where the heat and hay was .................

I assume that you are using the hay as bedding?  If so then this is not viewed as good practice as hay is dusty and has spores, can cause respiratory problems in chucks.  I used to use it but no longer.  Secondly how old are your chucks and where are the photos. The reason I ask the age is because if they are young and if they where bought from a large producer then they may have been inoculated recently (normally around 16 weeks when they leave the large producer to regional sellers). My understanding is that they are given a inert strain of a virus which then gives them the ability to produce antibodies.  This inoculation can cause slight symptoms and should clear up in a couple of weeks.


I hope that makes sence and if I have said anything wrong PLEASE PLEASE Do not be shy guys and tell me.

[too many girls]

us, shy?

[Roughlee Handled]

OK  :roll:  

[peewee_lane]

Just a quick note, I blocked off over the nesting box and put perches in the coop and they have happily waddled in and perched and spent the night in the nesting boxes. Thanks folks!

[cambssuz]

I have three hens with a nest box and a perch in their coop.  For the first 3 nights, they slept on their perch.  Then one slept in the box, joined the next night by a second, and the next night by the third.  Now none of them sleep on their perch.  I don't mind cleaning up each day (I will try the layered newspaper method), but I'd prefer it if they went back to the perch.

[richyrich7]

I have three hens with a nest box and a perch in their coop.  For the first 3 nights, they slept on their perch.  Then one slept in the box, joined the next night by a second, and the next night by the third.  Now none of them sleep on their perch.  I don't mind cleaning up each day (I will try the layered newspaper method), but I'd prefer it if they went back to the perch.

Nest boxes should be lower than the perch, best to check that. Also just block up the nest boxes just before they roost. they will learn, you just have to keep persevering 

[Sadgit]

I had a bit of wood I used to block the nesting box up with each evening. Worked a treat

[cambssuz]

Thanks for all the advice.  Their nest box is the same height as the perch, so I have raised the perch a bit.  Is there an ideal height?  I will see how that goes over the next few nights.  If not, then plan 'b' is to block the box.  I had actually already considered doing that.

[richyrich7]

Depends on the breed for perch height, or you can make them a simple ladder to go up and down. Thats what I did even though they could fly up to it.