After researching, my husband got sand to lay on floor of the chicken run. We got it all ready while the chickens were romping in the yard before bedtime. When it came time to go inside, they were afraid to walk on the sand. They would not go in at first, then when they did, kept smashing themselves against the hardware cloth trying to walk on the wood frame to avoid stepping in the sand. We finally got them into the coop but felt terrible. I checked this morning and they went into the run and got on the roost which they can do by a ramp and a old wooden saw horse. Has anyone else experienced such a problem and how did you resolve it.
My chicks did the same thing. Actually, they are afraid of anything that is new or different. Hopefully that will change as they get older.
Yes they are often wary of new things. I think as they get older they get braver - but new things can freak them too
Sprinkle some chicken scratch or other treats on the sand. They will learn quickly that there is nothing to fear.
They are chicken of new things. Sand is harmless. My whole run is sand The first day I opened the door to let my birds go outside they were totally chicken. We sat there getting bored watching birds poke their heards out the door and then retreating inside. Finaly I sprinkled some sunflower chips into the run close to the ramp and eventually they came out. After the first day they can't wait to get outside. They fly out in a big hurry every day now.
Later this morning someone got hungry or brave. When my husband went to check on them, the whole run was covered in foot prints. Yeah! Thanks all for pointers.
