chickens scratching the plastic droppings tray

[VonZuel]

Hey there,
The chickens just started laying but one of them has started scratching at the plastic droppings tray rather than the coop. It is so loud! I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else and if there are any suggestions as to what to do. I have thought about taking the poop tray out and replacing it with an all wood one with no plastic.
I've attached an image of the chicken coop they're in.
Thanks for your help.

 

[aart]

Chickens scratch, that's what they do.
You could put a piece of thin plywood or cardboard in the bottom to quiet it down.

 

[blackdog043]

A piece of 1/4" underlayment on top might help quiet it. Is there anything in the run for them to scratch in?

 

[Hokum Coco]

any suggestions as to what to do.

You could place a wire grid above the the tray with wooden blocks or supports to keep the grid from sagging depending on the size and gauge of gird you decide on. I have a gird over the floor of my coop instead of deep litter. I find it keeps the feet of my chickens much cleaner and my eggs also less soiled.

 

[VonZuel]

A piece of 1/4" underlayment on top might help quiet it. Is there anything in the run for them to scratch in?

oh yes they have about a 5X6 ft area that is all desert sand to scratch in. I took the tray out for now and will look into putting a 1/4" piece in. Thanks!

 

[VonZuel]

You could place a wire grid above the the tray with wooden blocks or supports to keep the grid from sagging depending on the size and gauge of gird you decide on. I have a gird over the floor of my coop instead of deep litter. I find it keeps the feet of my chickens much cleaner and my eggs also less soiled.

Thats a great idea. Then when they scratch it won't be so loud. They'll still be able to scratch at the bottom of the nesting box which is wooden slits and not as intolerable.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

What do you have in the tray?
My tray isn’t plastic, but has a metal coating on it. I could hear them scratching before I put the sweet pdz and shavings in. Now, it’s not noticeable.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Mine absolutely love to scratch and/or peck anything that makes noise droppings trays, the metal that covers the water heater, if I put any treats on large plastic plates I have for them, they continue to scratch and peck those plates all over the run long after treats are gone. Just what they do.

I've never considered it to be loud - it's a good way for me to know they are happy and staying busy

 

[peeper89]

Hey there,
The chickens just started laying but one of them has started scratching at the plastic droppings tray rather than the coop. It is so loud! I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else and if there are any suggestions as to what to do. I have thought about taking the poop tray out and replacing it with an all wood one with no plastic.
I've attached an image of the chicken coop they're in.
Thanks for your help.

what u goin do when they sing put muzzle on?
i not imagine chicken scratch is loud this make no cense

 

[VonZuel]

what u goin do when they sing put muzzle on?
i not imagine chicken scratch is loud this make no cense

My question is about how to dull the sounds of the plastic droppings tray, not to stop my chickens from scratching. It won't be a problem when we move to more land but currently we have neighbors.
thanks