Do chickens get cabin fever?

[nuchickontheblock]

we put a basin with sandy dirt in the covered part of their pen from the area where they liked to take their dust/dirt baths before we got covered with snow. That's a good boredom buster -- they take turns doing the dust bath thing!

 

[Irish Luck]

Sometime ago my chickens would not go into the coop for love or money. After loosing 2 to predators I desperately sought help and found this website. I posted my dilemna and got several replies offering advice. Being a novice Chicken Mom I tried every single suggestion. I sprayed the coop inside and out for bugs, I reinforced the perches for roosting, I changed the bedding, I made sure there was fresh food and water inside and I spent a weekend crawling around the coop to make sure every hole even a mouse could get in was covered. I put a lamp in there on a timer with a bulb strong enough to give off some warmth.

Guess what?? Now at dawn I have to go and wake the little buggers up!!! Now I have to bribe them out into the fresh air with food and water. They think they are in a palace and we spend many happy hours with me fussing in coop and them sitting on their perch watching me and cooing at me. We are all so happy! I can't wait to get a couple of more youngsters in the spring.

You people solved my problem with all your good advice and I wanted to tell you how grateful I am. I got the chickens for the eggs and now they are some of my favorite pets. I just love them. The Colonel (my rooster) and I occasionally have a power struggle but I let him think he's won. Thanks again for all your expert advice. Y'all are great!!!!

 

[NYRIR]

Quote:
Well, since chickens do fart, I think you can safely offer them cooked lentils and beans.

They might blast themselves right off the roost.

 

[chickfamilyonsleepyhollow]

[Sometime ago my chickens would not go into the coop for love or money. After loosing 2 to predators I desperately sought help and found this website. I posted my dilemna and got several replies offering advice. Being a novice Chicken Mom I tried every single suggestion. I sprayed the coop inside and out for bugs, I reinforced the perches for roosting, I changed the bedding, I made sure there was fresh food and water inside and I spent a weekend crawling around the coop to make sure every hole even a mouse could get in was covered. I put a lamp in there on a timer with a bulb strong enough to give off some warmth.

Guess what?? Now at dawn I have to go and wake the little buggers up!!! Now I have to bribe them out into the fresh air with food and water. They think they are in a palace and we spend many happy hours with me fussing in coop and them sitting on their perch watching me and cooing at me. We are all so happy! I can't wait to get a couple of more youngsters in the spring.

You people solved my problem with all your good advice and I wanted to tell you how grateful I am. I got the chickens for the eggs and now they are some of my favorite pets. I just love them. The Colonel (my rooster) and I occasionally have a power struggle but I let him think he's won. Thanks again for all your expert advice. Y'all are great!!!!

quote]

Sounds like your chickens are very lucky to have a wonderful mama

your story​

 

[The Tinman]

You may laugh but to keep them from getting to bored I put a radio in the coop and play music for them. Mostly classical,some gospil,anything soft. I don`t want them laying hard rock eggs

They sing along to Leonard Cohen`s Hallelujah. It is really cute

 

[BrewedInNh]

Quote:
Now that could be an awesome experiment.

Have you tried different styles of music to see if there's any egg production differences?

 

[The Tinman]

I tried playing raggae for them until I found them trying to smoke the coffee chaff. If I put on anything too upbeat they tend to more agressive to each other. They turn the coop into a mosh pit.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
Now that could be an awesome experiment.

Have you tried different styles of music to see if there's any egg production differences?

I got them a flat screen for Christmas now I gotta get them a stereo.