Chickens terrified of electric netting

[JCat98]

I though my chickens would be so pleased with me when I gave them a very large run surrounded by electric netting. I caught each chicken and clipped one side of their wings because then netting is a bit low in some spots. When one of the chickens gets shocked it squawks and they all go running into the coop. So now, they are in the coop all day long. If a few venture out, it's not long until one gets zapped, sending them all running inside. Even so, only 4-5 are brave enough to even venture out. I have 13 hens and now am only getting two eggs or so a day - so laying production has decreased significantly. Is this due to the netting and wing clipping changes? It there anything I can do to encourage my chickens to go outside? Ugh. Love them. But they are so silly! Or maybe I am. Lol.

 

[parvani]

Chickens are frightened by ANYTHING new.

My chickens are utterly terrified when I cover the floor of their cage with fresh NEW pine shavings. They squawk and run to the far side of the cage. They do this. Every. Single. Time. And I put in fresh bedding about twice weekly.

So the fact that the scary new netting around your chickens' run actually DOES "bite" them if they get too close is all the confirmation they need that this new stuff is indeed every bit as deadly as they feared it was.

Your hens aren't laying well because they're living in terror, and their instincts prevent them from "starting a family" -- laying eggs -- when they feel they're in danger.

Chickens aren't so dumb. They know they're delicious and everything in the world would like to eat them. I'm sure they're simply appalled to discover that their own run, their former sanctuary, is now also a threat to their well being.

 

[Isellsilkies]

I wg

Chickens are frightened by ANYTHING new.

My chickens are utterly terrified when I cover the floor of their cage with fresh NEW pine shavings. They squawk and run to the far side of the cage. They do this. Every. Single. Time. And I put in fresh bedding about twice weekly.

So the fact that the scary new netting around your chickens' run actually DOES "bite" them if they get too close is all the confirmation they need that this new stuff is indeed every bit as deadly as they feared it was.

Chickens aren't so dumb. They know they're delicious and everything in the world would like to eat them. I'm sure they're simply appalled to discover that their own run, their former sanctuary, is now also a threat to their well being.

I agree and I can’t believe you get newPINE every week! Does it cost a lot?

 

[parvani]

I wg

I agree and I can’t believe you get newPINE every week! Does it cost a lot?

It only takes a couple buckets to cover the floor of their cage a few inches deep. A bale lasts a long time.

And the cage for these young birds is in our living room, so zeolite and fresh bedding are a must to keep it from smelling bad.

Also we live in logging country, with lots of pine trees being shaved into finished lumber. So the shavings are pretty cheap around here.

 

[aart]

It there anything I can do to encourage my chickens to go outside?

Probably just give them time.
How long has it been up?

 

[HiEverybirdy]

And besides time, maybe you can sit with them and offer treats just outside the coop, then slowly share treats closer to the fence. Make them see the yard as tasty instead of scary.

Can you add places for them to hide so they branch out from the coop without feeling as exposed to the scary fence?

Your post has me thinking about the netting we have coming this week so our flock can rotate over more new ground this year. They're good with the traditional electric fence around their yard, but they rarely stick their heads out far enough to get shocked.

Ours are surprisingly good with change, but spring energy seems to have made them more dramatic about everything lately, so I'll be brainstorming ways to make the new yard more tasty than scary!

 

[Housespider]

I once held out my closed hand then opened it to reveal a blue berry(they had never had one) this caused them all to flee screaming. I later mixed the berries into their scratch and was feeding them out of a cup, when they ate enough to reveal a blueberry they once again threw a fit.

Now that they are older new foods do not scare them so much, but chickens really don't like new things. If you have younger birds it might influence them to take longer to adapt, but they should get used to.

 

[JCat98]

Probably just give them time.
How long has it been up?

About a week

 

[JCat98]

Chickens are frightened by ANYTHING new.

My chickens are utterly terrified when I cover the floor of their cage with fresh NEW pine shavings. They squawk and run to the far side of the cage. They do this. Every. Single. Time. And I put in fresh bedding about twice weekly.

So the fact that the scary new netting around your chickens' run actually DOES "bite" them if they get too close is all the confirmation they need that this new stuff is indeed every bit as deadly as they feared it was.

Your hens aren't laying well because they're living in terror, and their instincts prevent them from "starting a family" -- laying eggs -- when they feel they're in danger.

Chickens aren't so dumb. They know they're delicious and everything in the world would like to eat them. I'm sure they're simply appalled to discover that their own run, their former sanctuary, is now also a threat to their well being.

Thanks. A very logical reply. I guess I’ll just give them some time.

 

[Ridgerunner]

It there anything I can do to encourage my chickens to go outside?

I can relate to a lot of these stories but not so much yours. But my circumstances were different.

When I'm walking around with a feed or water bucket my chickens are OK. But if I have something dangerous in my hand, like a tiny camera, they are scared silly. So, yes, it has a lot to do with what they are used to. "New" often scares them.

My chickens free ranged for a few years before I lost 13 in two different dog attacks from dogs abandoned n the country. So I got electric netting, which solved the dog problem. Since mine were used to being outside they never skipped a beat. It sounds like yours may not be used to being outside, yet they are old enough to lay. Not sure what is going on.

When mine peck at grass or weeds in the netting and their comb, wattles, or beak hits a hot wire they squawk, jump up and back, and them go about their business. No running to the coop or anything like that. The others don't even seem to notice. Unfortunately they soon learn to not peck at stuff in that netting which means I have to take it down and mow to keep the growth from shorting it out.

My suggestion is pretty much like everyone else's. Be patient. I'd let them sort it out on their own. They will, given time.