Behavior

[Clayglen]

Well first I put half a watermelon in the coop...thought they might like to peck on it. Then I put a pile of dirt...thought they might take a dust bath. They act like they're terrified of each...nothing to do with either. Any thoughts?

 

[iwiw60]

Well, I haven't tried watermelon with my 4 girls yet, but I did fashion a dirt bath in one corner...they won't have anything to do with it...so weird! They'll scooch around in other spots, but not the designated dirt bath....go figure!!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

How old are your birds?

 

[iwiw60]

@Ol Grey Mare .. I don't know who you were asking...the OP or me...my girls are 12 weeks old. They'll dust bath in the run in various spots of their choosing, but so far won't use the designated area....aaaaack!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Sorry - was asking the OP - age has a factor in if curiosity over-rides caution. I hear you about the "designated" areas being ignored, I just let them pick a place (or two, or three) because clearly *I* am no good at choosing a good place for a dust bath, lol.
OP - it can take a few exposures to something before it goes from "ACK" to - "What's this?" --

 

[Clayglen]

They're young birds...haven't started laying yet. First birds and learning.

 

[hausfrau77]

We have a few pullets and each time we offer something new they have been weary, but 90% of what we give them they love now! ( I'm a worry wart too so sometimes with new foods I bite size them and that seems to help, until I offer not bite sized then we have to relearn lol)

 

[Clayglen]

Dang...what's up with my rooster? He's mean! Has pecked me twice now.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Dang...what's up with my rooster? He's mean! Has pecked me twice now.

Did he peck you in an aggressive manner or just peck you?

 

[Clayglen]

Just walked out in the yard to check on them...he trotted across a ways stopped beside me, paused then nailed me on top of the foot. Young birds, Production Reds that haven't even started laying yet. Maybe he's just asserting his dominance.