do chickens ever get used to having their coup cleaned?

[SussexInSeattle]

I think it's more unusual to get chickens that are that interested in the cleaning process. Maybe it is a California chicken thing. Wonder if the southern chickens are more laid back like their owners since they have very little Winter Worries like some of us do?

My chickens don't freak totally out but they do leave the barn. I think the freakish behavior may be very related to the size of your coop. If you have an attached yard, shoo them outside and make them wait until you are done cleaning, no sense letting them get on your nerves while you already have a poopy job ahead of you! They should be able to withstand the frigid temps in the short time it takes to rake out the roosts.

I purposely bought breeds known for friendliness last time but it seems they all grew up watching my older birds who were purchased on a whim and are definately known to NOT be friendly. So mine act stupid too when I go in and start to work in the barn. I just shoo them all out and it gets the work done faster with them out of my way.

Mine even scatter when I toss treats in the yard, they are so silly I swear they are afraid of their own shadows. They duck like nuts when crows fly over, even though they outweigh crows by about a ton. They turn their heads over to one side and watch the 'danger' until it flies out of sight! Then the ones they bully are the teeny tiny sparrows who land in the yard in search of the girls unwanted treats.

 

[ebonykawai]

I kick all of mine out to the run when I'm cleaning, but the only cleaning I do is clear the poop under the roosts and throw in fresh shavings. Maybe 5 minutes of work? I use the deep litter method.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

We have "helper" chickens here, too.

 

[patandchickens]

#1California Chick :

I HAVE to ask -- why are you cleaning out your coop every 7 to 10 days and NOT using the deep litter process??? It would seem to me (keep in mind it was 70 here today!!!) that you would use deep litter to keep the coop WARM and not empty the coop until Spring!!!What am I missing???

The thing is, deep litter, as practiced by almost everyone these days, does not generate any meaningful heat.

You only get that with really deep really pooey fairly damp litter on a dirt floor.

So the only warmth value of deep litter as MOSt people do it is that it gives the chickens something to snuggle into, like an afghan

With a small chicken-packed coop and insufficient ventilation (for whatever reasons), you may HAVE to change the litter periodically to keep air quality acceptible. Tho droppings boards, scraped every morning with the poo removed from coop, will significantly help.

Pat​

 

[scooter147]

I only clean my coop three or four times a year. My coop is 8 x 12 and doesn't really need it all that often.
Mine are always afraid of the new shavings I put down. Some of them refuse to go in at night on the first night so I have to put them in. Some of the hens will fly from the pop door to their nesting boxes to avoid walking on the new shavings.

Mine are deathly afraid of the following.

1. Feed sacks, empty or full.

2. The broom I use to sweep cob webs from the ceiling and corners.

3. Snow.

4. Five gallon buckets

5. The garden hose (because they get misted in the hot hot summer months)

Funny thing is they are not afraid of the lawn mower. Go figure.

 

[Rustywreck]

The coup has vinyl flooring. Deep litter may work, I don't know; but here the ground is frozen. In fact it is frozen about 5 feet deep. No matter how much they crap I can't imagine they generate enough heat thaw it out.
If it is 70 degrees in California, keep in mind that it is 90-100 degrees colder here than there.
In the summer, they are outside when I clean. But with negative temps and snow outside they don't want to go outside, so I have no choice but to clean it while they are inside.
I wish I had some of the helper chickens other have; instead all I have are a bunch of drama queens.

 

[scooter147]

Rusty, they are probably afraid of the movement of the rake, broom etc. Try to move slower, remember quick movement to them means an attack by a air or ground predator.
How many do you have? If a managable number maybe you could "hide" them in cardboard boxes while the cleaning is done.

I loved the drama queen line

Mine are afraid of feed sacks, but when I empty the feed in the cans (which are outside) and if the wind gets a hold of an empty one, Katy bar the door, they then completely freak out!

 

[HennysMom]

Hmm... guess I have helper chickens too because mine LOVE when I clean their coop out, always trying to help - rolling around in the new shavings. I just bring in the new bag and they are on TOP of it and all around my feet - and inevitably, they end up untying my shoes, pecking at my pants, hopping up on my back

- all before the rest are inside staring at me as they stand on the roost bar as I change half the litter out

I'm so afraid they're going to peck my eye or something

I of course, look a fright standing there saying "Dont you peck me..I swear to god you'll end up booted and flying faster than you can bawk, I promise!"

They just gimme that sideways look - ya'll know the one - like "go ahead.. make my day.."

They also go into the smoke house and jump up on their food bins - its hysterical - then they follow me out INTO their pen and coop - all little waddle butts just a-goin' strong trying to keep up with "momma" I suppose

I put alot of litter in my small coop, but I also add DE - I change it out once a month now that its cold - but it all depends too. I just added my dropping boards back in - was trying Deep Litter but with such a small coop to begin with it was more messier than I wanted it to be, so the boards went back in on Sunday.

how much time do you spend with them, like handling them? Maybe thats why they're scared..

 

[DDRanch]

Well, I do some cleaning every couple of days. If I do a complete clean and the chickens can't free range, I lock them in the pen while I work in the coop. Or, I will work in the coop with them "helping" but moving slowly. Maybe because I clean frequently they are more used to the activity. And being the friendly girls that they are, mine are really interested in what I am doing.

I would say Move slowly, and perhaps bring them favorite treats to distract them if they have to be in the coop while cleaning. Mine are terrified of the broom, so I use a rake if they are around. Hope this helps.

Anne

 

[BawkinOnTheBench]

I clean mine every week (using sand, not deep litter) and mine are usually out while I do it. But I do have to keep the bucket in the door, or they would all be in there with me. I think they think maybe I'll dig up something good, like seagulls flying behind the tiller. When I'm raking up the yard I don't have anyway to block them and I've learned its no use raking up piles to come back for - the piles will all be thoroughly pillaged before I come back.