Chickens seem not to like new bedding

[debid]

Today I decided to use fine grinded natural rock as the first layer in the chicken house, then I laid a semi thick spread of wood shavings over it.
When it was time for the chickens to go in their house, some of them won't go in. They seem to be afraid of the natural rock. I lift them up and put them in and they seem to be ok.?

Does anyone know why they would be afraid or hesitant to go in.
Is the bedding I just mention ok for chicken layers?

Chickens don't like change. At all. They notice the new thing and react with skepticism.

Every year here, it snows. And, every year, they crowd around the doorway looking at the snow and discussing it thoroughly. This continues until one finally gets pushed out too far and falls into it. When that chicken doesn't instantly die, another will try it. It can take days even though they literally do this every single year.

 

[Helloworld]

We use pea gravel on coop floors and nothing in nest box. I have separate nest boxes we use straw in hanging on the wall. My quail cages are in same coop and they prefer to sleep under their cages lol.

The pic is hard to tell but I sure hope that is not contractor sand. You may get some impacted crops.

 

[Cryss]

What was it about the rock that made you use it? I've never heard of that.

 

[debid]

Also curious to hear how this bedding combo works out long term. I was thinking the crushed stone was a silica-free sand alternative but then putting wood chips on top wouldn't make sense if scooping out the droppings was the goal. It seems like you'll end up with mixed wood/stone/poop to shovel out but I hope to be wrong about that because that sounds miserable.

 

[Keliana]

Right, but what is the point of the rock?

It is rock , but it is grinded and isn't uncomfortable for them. A lady who keeps chickens use this method to keep the bedding longer and fresher without any smell. It kind of feels like sand but holds moisture better. Plus as she says, it seems to also keep mites ect, off her chicks.
I use to use only shavings, but no matter what I do I had to change it once every week, and it was getting expensive.
So I am trying her method by putting a layer of grinded natural and then a generous amount of shavings to top. I just mention it was dust free , not only for a laugh, but its the kind I usually buy in bulk, so that's what I had.

 

[Keliana]

Also curious to hear how this bedding combo works out long term. I was thinking the crushed stone was a silica-free sand alternative but then putting wood chips on top wouldn't make sense if scooping out the droppings was the goal. It seems like you'll end up with mixed wood/stone/poop to shovel out but I hope to be wrong about that because that sounds miserable.

Its not wood chips, its soft wood shavings. And they seem to be liking it better today. So far it smells just as fresh as yesterday, so I will see how long it lasts

 

[aart]

It is rock , but it is grinded and isn't uncomfortable for them. A lady who keeps chickens use this method to keep the bedding longer and fresher without any smell. It kind of feels like sand but holds moisture better. Plus as she says, it seems to also keep mites ect, off her chicks.

Oh, OK, thanks for the explanation.
Let us know if it works out.

 

[Keliana]

Also curious to hear how this bedding combo works out long term. I was thinking the crushed stone was a silica-free sand alternative but then putting wood chips on top wouldn't make sense if scooping out the droppings was the goal. It seems like you'll end up with mixed wood/stone/poop to shovel out but I hope to be wrong about that because that sounds miserable.

No matter what I use it will be mix with poop when cleansing out. I'm just hoping it will stay good with no smell at least more than a month. The crush stone , along with the shaving seems to be working good so far. But you must be careful not to layer it too thick with the crush stone, or in the chicken house will be dusty.

 

[Keliana]

Oh, OK, thanks for the explanation.
Let us know if it works out.

Yes I will. I'm just trying to find a method that will keep in they house smelling fresh, with no mites since I have a plywood flooring in there , and that would also be something they enjoy scratching in.

 

[Keliana]

Chickens don't like change. At all. They notice the new thing and react with skepticism.

Every year here, it snows. And, every year, they crowd around the doorway looking at the snow and discussing it thoroughly. This continues until one finally gets pushed out too far and falls into it. When that chicken doesn't instantly die, another will try it. It can take days even though they literally do this every single year.

Lol that sounds funny to watch.
I was very amazed. I thought the crush rock was dangerous to they since they avoided it. They literally would not go in , until I gently put them in one by one . The thing is the shavings was covering the rock but they were still afraid lol. Today seems to be better , although some is sticking to free ranging outside, some is really enjoying bathing in the bedding in they house. And I love that the poop have mix in very well with it, that you dont seem to know that poop is even there . But I will see how long it can hold up