do chickens get upset when you clean their coop?

[kareninthesun]

The collective chicken owners of me were not happy this early morning once they realized they were going to be free ranging for a while. Normally, if I have to herd them back in during the day for protection, its like trying to diaper twin one year old children at the same time...with one arm. But, having chosen to completely dump out all the hay, sanitize from top to bottom, (usually don't dump the hay, doing a modified layering instead of hay), they about had a stroke. Gripe...gripe...gripe; pause to play and hunt down bugs, gripe more...climb all over the planters...back to gripe...eat their snakes, drink water...gripe. All dried and sparkley clean, aired out, you think they'd still want in? Heck no. Herd and gripe...until they spot the food. Happiness again.

 

[kareninthesun]

'eat their snacks, NOT snakes.'

 

[karlamaria]

Mine are never in the coop unless to sleep, they free range in my yard all day and evening. They never mind there pen being cleaned, in fact could care less lol.

 

[Mahonri]

Mine gripe and complain too, but then they get on with life.

I have a bunch that are still molting... When I walked into the coop this morning it looked like a chicken bomb had gone off.

 

[kareninthesun]

I can't do that yet. My dogs get along with them as long as I'm there, but want to wait until I'm very, very sure. And we have hawks, and a beautiful owl family close by. Not to mention awful nasty grey foxes that are awake during day and night. AND snakes, and the neighbor's cute tabby that isn''t sure what the chickens are aside from fun looking.

 

[tiny529]

Quote:

I was wondering about that!

Mine aren't cooped yet but man do they spaz out when I clean out their brooder!

 

[Stacykins]

Mine did when I cleaned their coop today. Maybe because I had the chicken eating rake and shovel monster with me! At least, that is what they think. And the wheelbarrow? Also chicken eating!

 

[Nicole01]

No, they are so use to me being in there that it's nothing new.

 

[Gullygarden]

Mine want to help or ride on my shoulder.

 

[theoldchick]

Mine stay out of the way and watch the action while I scrape with the shovel and sweep with a broom.