Bed check

[chick_newbie]

We usually lock them up about an hour after dark, as I have a few that like to roam the run for just a bit longer. The other night we shut them up and then I looked and found the 2 littlest ones not in the coop. They too were huddled together in the run just shivering and quiet in the corner. Now I count them every time I go out there. It sure is easier in the morning when they are going outside. LOL

 

[Mahonri]

My wife laughs at me when she can see me outside counting.

 

[basicliving]

I do a head count each night after I lock their chicken door. In the warm weather, I would routinely come up 2 or 3 short and find them roosting in trees. It was like a game of "Marco Polo" - I would call to them and they would answer in a very low purr sound until I found them - and then fly down and run into the coop.

Now that it's cold, they have ALL been in the coop, huddled together each night. None the less, I still do a head count and breathe a sigh of relief when I come up with 23!

Penny

 

[Buster]

I count mine usually- especially if I have introduced new chicks or roosters or played musical pens with my hens again. Just making sure everyone made it in so I can lock up.

 

[curliet]

Yes, I too count mine every night, and feel foolish when I do. Sometimes Rick and I both count, and it occasionally takes 3 or 4 times before we come up with the same number each time. Counting heads is hard to do with chickens.

 

[Opa]

I'm glad that I'm not the only one that has to count them more than a few times to get the right count. Taking off my boots in the coop to count is a little bit of a hassle too. Right now I have 19 hens in one coop so I guess I can add 2 more and then I'll have to come up with a different method of counting.

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[cajunlizz]

NOT hard to count when they are all on the roost ... ONLY time I can come close to counting . SO GLAD in a way I CAN NOT have free ranged birds . NOT worried , they go in and out on their own and never lock up the coops ...

ALPHA ROO leads all of them in and they are down for the night ...

totally enclosed and predator proof .... 2 coops and 3 runs all attached .

 

[Opa]

Quote:
I've spent quite a bit of time in Ponchatula and I envy your winter temps. Here it gets below freezing for about 7 months so bed check is a must.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

My birds are pretty good. The barn door stays open till dusk and then I check the area around the barn and close the door. I give them about an hour to "settle in" meaning they are knocking each other off the roosts and scrambling for position. The smart ones are over eating the scratch and drinking thier fill for the night.

Oh, the chickin nite nite thhing.

Then I go up again, check on the way up and get them all into the wire stalls and close those doors. I clean the office, turn on a small light and check the radio for a good easy listening station.

Yep, they get a night light in case one falls off thier roost and lands on the wrong side of the stalls. They get rather frantic about this cause all their buds are in the stall. Then they get a soothing music station for the night.

Spoiled little turds. The light and the music may keep a wary predator away.

 

[Chickenaddict]

I also do a head count and say gnite to each one before i lock them in the coop for the night. I couldn't sleep either if i didn't know they were all locked up and safe. Opa i hear ya on the 7 month winters.... Can't wait for spring!!!!! The snow is pretty but the temps can take a hike lol