So, if a leader or respected chicken signals for the other chickens to come eat at a certain spot they will. There could be several reason for a specific chosen spot. Lead hens and roosters talk the others into doing all sorts of stuff. .... ???? :)
Agreed, I’m thinking (Long Feather) he’s the keeper... the tailless (rumpless) cockerel is a little crazy and super aggressive and the mutant with the wild tail feather is even stranger and aggressive as well.
I second that ... but I have noticed that chickens or chicks that are the most non conforming and most mentally unstable tend to get picked on the most. It’s like the others know who’s the weakest genetically.... just a theory though
Welcome... I noticed your going to hatch some Araucanas... mine were born ~ Jan 8th so I included some of my Araucana chick pics and now at 12 weeks. I love the Araucana breed, but mine needed lots of attention. They are super smart and even more spunky!!!! Keep us updated with your hatch...
Find a portable flat insulated material roughly the same size as the bottom of your unit and caulk the unit down to it that surface and fill the hole in the side as well
I would replace altogether ... but how about carefully cutting the entire flat part of the bottom and replace with another insulated flat material ... certain glues might cause a problem but two side tape or the right caulking might work instead of glues or epoxy??