10 wk old pullet won’t leave nest box.

[Andersonfamhomestead]

I have an almost 10 week old black sex link pullet that has been spending an awful lot of time in the best box. Obviously to young to be broody she is t even old enough to lay. Should I worry that something is wrong or could she just be practicing.
My Shirley girl. She comes out eats gets water and goes right back to the next box.

 

[Birdie mom]

she might be pecked on by the other pullets, does she seem afraid of the other chicks?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Should I worry that something is wrong or could she just be practicing.

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

No that is NOT normal behavior for a bird that age.. she is either sick or possibly being bullied. Described as eating and drinking doesn't sound sick. Main illness conditions for the age would be coccidiosis, Marek's. Eating kinda rules out coccidiosis and nothing else has really been described.. So keep your eyes open and stay aware of anything abnormal.

Are both the Wyandottes female.. or is it possible one has started mounting?

Everyone will want to know.. what are you feeding on a regular basis including treats and supplements, were they vaccinated against anything, and how many birds total in how much space?

Hope all is well!

 

[Andersonfamhomestead]

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

No that is NOT normal behavior for a bird that age.. she is either sick or possibly being bullied. Described as eating and drinking doesn't sound sick. Main illness conditions for the age would be coccidiosis, Marek's. Eating kinda rules out coccidiosis and nothing else has really been described.. So keep your eyes open and stay aware of anything abnormal.

Are both the Wyandottes female.. or is it possible one has started mounting?

Everyone will want to know.. what are you feeding on a regular basis including treats and supplements, were they vaccinated against anything, and how many birds total in how much space?

Hope all is well!

She isn’t acting sick is eating,drinking and pooping no sigh of bullying and I haven’t witnessed any bullying while am outside. I am thinking the Wyandotte’s are both hens. Not 100 on that but they aren’t crowing or trying to mount each other. But no eggs yet either. But they are only 10 weeks old.

 

[Andersonfamhomestead]

Oh and there are 8 all together. I think I have one barred rock rooster in the whole group

 

[aart]

Everyone will want to know.. what are you feeding on a regular basis including treats and supplements, were they vaccinated against anything, and how many birds total in how much space?

Yes, please!
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
How big is coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics, inside and out, would help immensely here.

 

[Andersonfamhomestead]

Yes, please!
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
How big is coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics, inside and out, would help immensely here.

Not sure of the dimensions I can send pictures of the coop and run . I have been feeding chick crumbles 20% protine non medicated. I’m waiting another week and I’m going to switch them to all flock. And I give them the flock treats that is a mix of meal works nuts oats and raisins. As a treat.

 

[aart]

How many birds total?
Guessing (you could get out the tape measure) that run is about 6x6'?
Where are the nests and roosts?
I see a ramp going up but could you get pics of inside where they roost?

 

[LaFleche]

As your run seems open from above I strongly suggest to cover it using some netting or hardware cloth.
Otherwise any bird of prey will gladly perch on the nearby trees to pick out his next snack and just dive down to get it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

As your run seems open from above I strongly suggest to cover it using some netting or hardware cloth.
Otherwise any bird of prey will gladly perch on the nearby trees to pick out his next snack and just dive down to get it.

That is a known risk that many choose to take. All my birds are pasture raised.. during times of heavy predator load or when the losses become too many to sustain then the birds get locked into their smaller enclosure that is fully covered. In 10+ years, I've lost 2 or 3 small chicks to aerial predators and had a few more very close calls. It's unfortunate, and it's great that you're looking out for folks best interest.. If it were feasible, I think I would cover my whole runs.

Those chicks I lost were $10 each and in under a weeks time.. lose enough and soon the cost of covering the runs becomes a lot easier to swallow/justify.

I did run fishing line across the top of THAT pasture and has no more attacks or losses but consider it anecdotal at best regarding the protection or deterrence provided by said fishing line.

And I give them the flock treats that is a mix of meal works nuts oats and raisins. As a treat.

Your feed is fine. The treats.. sounds like they may be a bit much for their age.. maybe cut back or lay off.

Many folks have nest blocked off until the birds get closer to laying.. so they don't sleep inside or use it as a place to hang out or develop any unwanted nest box habits.

The coop space itself does look possibly too tight long term. Though I like the simplicity of the design form the outside. What a cute flock and kiddo!