6wk old chicks and Nest box

[ResidentLunatic]

Hi,

My baby chicks hatched by Pamela are now 6 weeks old.

When they were hatching I moved Pamela and her babies into a separate coop with an old cat litter tray as a nest box on the floor of the coop.
Every night they snuggle up with Pamela in the nest box. I have noticed today that Pamela has been ignoring and scolding her babies so I think she thinks it's time for them to be on their own.

Outside the coop, Pamela and her babies are integrated with the rest of the flock.

My question is, when do I remove the floor nest box and when do I put Pamela back in the big coop at night with the rest of the flock?

Also, when do the chicks start to perch at night rather than pooping in the nest box?

Thanks ever so much

 

[dinosaw]

If you are happy that Pamela is integrated then she can go back in with her old friends now. You can remove the nest box too just as long as you keep the chicks separate to the adults or they will get injured without the protection of the mother.

 

[Marigold]

As for your other query - many pullets are raised to roost in a shed or shelter without any perches, and consequently they sometimes have to be taught to perch when they graduate to a proper coop with roosting bars at about 18-20 weeks, on joining the flock at POL. If the temporary coop you are using has a perch you could teach them to use it when they're a bit older (12+ weeks? ) by lifting them on to it after they've gone to roost on the floor in the evening. Some people say that too early perching can be harmful to their development, but I think that's mainly relevant to heavier breeds.
Once Pamela is gone back to her friends, I would leave the nestbox with a comfortable layer of litter for them to sleep on, and then just pick out the poo next day.