Chickens with Blankets on or in the Coop?

[clemens204]

Given the choice, my 11 week old chickens prefer laying/relaxing on blankets rather than in areas without blankets. Is this a habit I need to break now or is this acceptable. Of course I haven't considered what I should do for keeping these blankets clean cause I know for sure I am not putting them in my washing machine.

Also, should these chicken have enough sense to go inside the coop at night where it is 70 degrees instead of 60 degrees? I used to put them in the coop every night. But they tend to like sleeping on the coop instead of in the coop. They are safe either way because the coop is in a greenhouse. I just don't want them to get too cold. Should I keep putting them in the coop anyway?

Thanks,
Robin

 

[clemens204]

Do they just look like spoiled brats? I took this with the nanny cam I have in the coop/greenhouse.

 

[imnukensc]

Totally up to you, of course, but I would remove the blankets. The chickens don't need them. They may "like" them because that's what they've gotten used to, but they don't need them and they'll get over the removal of them quickly.
Since your coop is already inside another structure, I probably wouldn't worry about where they roost. I had to train my chickens to stay in the coop at night instead of in the run by locking in them in the coop at night for a couple weeks. In any case, your chickens aren't too cold.

 

[bobbi-j]

Could be the coop at 70 degrees is too warm for them so they're choosing to stay in the 60 degree weather for roosting. I agree with the above poster about the blankets - your chickens don't need them. If you don't want them destroyed, take them out of the coop.

 

[room onthebroom]

Do they just look like spoiled brats? I took this with the nanny cam I have in the coop/greenhouse.View attachment 1334467

That's a really funny picture but I would take the blankets. They'll adjust quick to whatever you decide to replace it with.

 

[chickens really]

I thought that's hilarious too...Pine shavings work best.
They will forget about blankets in no time..

 

[aart]

I thought that's hilarious too...Pine shavings work best.
They will forget about blankets in no time..

My fist thought on this thread was:
Blankets...Really?!?

 

[Peeperscreepers]

I use shavings but if you decide to keep the blankets I would reuse several for just the chickens and wash outside with a pressure washer or strong stream sprayer on the garden hose and a little soap and dry outside too. That's how I washed the litter of puppys blankets we had.

 

[Alaskan]

if it gets much warmer you will want to put some shade cloth over the greenhouse.

 

[clemens204]

Thank you all for your great input. I find it all really helpful. The blankets are going in the garbage and I am going to have to figure out what to put on that shelf for them to sit comfortably. The greenhouse shelves are only metal bars and not comfy for them

Should I just get some 2-4 inch deep plastic trays, fill them with shavings and zip tie them to the shelf so they don't tip over or slide off? I want them to be safe.

Thanks again,
Robin