ChrisEllis Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 A few weeks ago i ssly introduced my silkie frizzles to the outiside -which by many i had been told wasn;t a good idea but so far they have been fine and have ventured outside from morning until dusk without showing any discomforts! Although one thing they have been doing is huddling in the nesting boxes at night instead of in the coop - i dont udnerstand because the main partof the coop is more sealed well and also as a thick layer of wood cshavings in it whereas the nesting box has a small slit where the wood has cracked a bit and also has no wood chippings in it - this mean tht im constantly scrping poo out of it and also when they start laying in a few months - the eggs will be dirty? Can anyone help me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 chicks often like to sleep in a heap in the nesting box. I think that it isn't good for them to perch at an early age as it can distort the breast bone apparently. Once they get to a suitable age, you can persuade them not to sleep in the nesting box by putting a football or something in. TBH, mine are grown up and I let them sleep there if they want. It's easy enough to clean the odd poo out of nesting box each morning. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I'd make the nestbox comfy for them and let them sleep there for now. Perhaps they find the main coop too drafty/ open. They are too young to be perching just yet, as Patricia says. If they are making a lot of noise at night when huddling.....they are not warm enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisEllis Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Oh they dont make noise - i totally forgot about they sleep whilst being perched on the poles! What sort of age do they start perching? And i guess for the time being i shall make their nesting boxes comfyer Many Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I seem to remember someone mentioning 16 weeks - but I may have this wrong. Anyone help? Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
