Chickens appear afraid of new bedding

[rosemarythyme]

Pine shavings. Yes, the same brand. It smells stronger because it is newer. I guess they don't recognize the smell from the last time it was changed?

Possibly... and if the scent is strong enough it can be an irritant to them, so they may be staying outside to let it "air out."

 

[aart]

Have had this happen a couple times, once was severe....and rather hilarious.
I think it's the way they look.
What I do now is save out some of the old shavings to spread over the new ones, worked a charm.

 

[sourland]

Chickens (really all birds) hate change and take time to adjust to it.

 

[rcravey]

Have had this happen a couple times, once was severe....and rather hilarious.
I think it's the way they look.
What I do now is save out some of the old shavings to spread over the new ones, worked a charm.

Good idea, thank you!

 

[3KillerBs]

I just went to check that they all went inside for the night and eight of them (including my rooster) were outside. The other chicks were inside but up on a ledge. None were on the bedding.

Does your coop have a roost and do the chickens normally use it?

Once they're beyond the little chick stage they aren't really supposed to be sleeping down in the bedding. You want them to be up on the roost so that they aren't laying in their poop all night.

 

[rcravey]

Does your coop have a roost and do the chickens normally use it?

Once they're beyond the little chick stage they aren't really supposed to be sleeping down in the bedding. You want them to be up on the roost so that they aren't laying in their poop all night.

I didn't realize this. We have one large roost but it's only large enough for half of the flock. We have 17 chickens. I will definitely add more roosts. Thank you!

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

Don't be worried about it. Just make sure everyone gets in. Let them realize it's not going to hurt them.

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

My youngest flock is like this. Every single time they act like I've put "death shavings" down when it's the same ole pine shavings. My other flocks don't mind at all. I think it's just one bird that spreads the fear and then they're all freaked out thinking the shavings will kill them. Like another poster mentioned, changing the shavings in the morning or early afternoon makes a difference.

I had this happen to me yesterday.

They would not go in the coop. They would look in, screech and run away. It was quite funny.

After a couple of hours when I could see they were considering alternatives, I had to pick them up and put them in. The first one kept running out so I had to close the door each time I put one in.

It is mid-day the next day and they are still on their roosts. I even threw some bread down this morning and no one was interested.