I went out to scoop the poop board and there was a large blood spot on the roost (2X4, wood, 4" side up) and some drops in the pdz. I looked at all the chickens and only saw one who maybe had scabs on her comb. I know that any comb injury will bleed a lot, just like any head wound. No one is pecking at her now, so it must have happened just at daybreak when they're all trying to get past each other to walk down the ramp. I think she was in the way and got pecked. I can install a second 2X4, but that would mean the current one has to move back about 4" and they'd have 3" between both roosts. (this would mean the rear-most pole position their butts won't be over the poop board, so I don't want to!) The roost is 12' long, with a ramp at one end. Should I add another, parallel, roost ( and extend my poop board) or should I add another ramp so there's more than one way down? I watched them when I first set it up and they flew down, but now I wonder if they don't push and shove to get by. BTW, I'm adding chicks in a week or so to the area below the poop board--once they go to roost, I'll probably want more 'passing lane' ability.
