Call Ducks or Bantams...Crazy Animals Around the Farm

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Yes. I close off two of the nest boxes at night. She sleeps in the open one.
Ok. Thanks for the insight.

Do you have roosts that are 1-2 feet off the ground? In my prefab coop the roosts were only a couple inches off the ground and the Brahmas didn’t use them, but they did use the roosts that were about 2 feet off the ground in the run.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Yes...Wearing off her feathers then...Silly Hen..

Hmm. Well, I read they can get too hot. I will continue to watch make sure it doesn't get any worse. I don't want to close off that nest box as she loves it. In fact another one tries to sleep on top of her. I move that one to the roost if I see it when I check on them for bedtime.

 

[chickens really]

Is it possible that she is plucking her own out each night as she is cuddled in her nest box?..Maybe a higher protein feed is needed?...

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Do you have roosts that are 1-2 feet off the ground? In my prefab coop the roosts were only a couple inches off the ground and the Brahmas didn’t use them, but they did use the roosts that were about 2 feet off the ground in the run.

She will use the one in the run. But, they all get closed in the coop at night. And yeah the rooosts are like 2" up. Stupid manufacturers.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Is it possible that she is plucking her own out each night as she is cuddled in her nest box?..Maybe a higher protein feed is needed?...

That might be the reason! Good catch

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Is it possible that she is plucking her own out each night as she is cuddled in her nest box?..Maybe a higher protein feed is needed?...

That is always a possibilty. One night I did see a feather in her beak when I closed them up. I will be switching to all flock feed soon.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

She will use the one in the run. But, they all get closed in the coop at night. And yeah the rooosts are like 2" up. Stupid manufacturers.

Sounds like that may be the reason she’s sleeping in the nest box. Try increasing the amount of protein in her diet and see if the problem goes away.

 

[chickens really]

That is always a possibilty. One night I did see a feather in her beak when I closed them up. I will be switching to all flock feed soon.

Anything is possible...It's a mystery that's for sure...

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

How do you guys give oyster shell to your chickens? Free choice in a seperate container? I always just mixed it in with their feed and never had a problem, but someone told me not to mix it with their feed

 

[chickens really]

How do you guys give oyster shell to your chickens? Free choice in a seperate container? I always just mixed it in with their feed and never had a problem, but someone told me not to mix it with their feed

Separate in another Dish and I only use it twice a week or they kick it everywhere..I also use grit and toss it out into the Run..