Effort to design roost system that reduces intrabrood social strife

[centrarchid]

Quote:
He stays on mission pretty good. He bit his first red fox in butt just a few days ago.

See following thread for account:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=556151

We are presently challenged by a skunk that steals eggs. Scoob seems unable to find skunk even though he sniffs across a hot trail. Scoob may think skunks are not part of his job description.

He does scent mark around pens now which is very important with these roost contraptions. A problem becoming apparent if that he his marking birds themselves when they are roosting in boxes on ground. Nasty boy.

 

[centrarchid]

CHANGEUP IN ROOST CAUSES A FUSS

Today I moved and changed orientation of three remote roosts serving three cohorts (2, 3 and 4) of juveniles. Intent was to consolidate making so I can see, from front porch of house, all roosting cohorts in one shine of flashlight. Most, but not all of about 80 birds had issues with move and began scrambling about trying to find roost closer to original locations, and then farther when some got desperate. During search some juveniles tried to enter remote roosts in use by cohort 1 and the front porch flock. Juveniles trying to roost occupied by other than their own cohort were ejected promptly. Alternate locations were tomato cages, white oak tree (30 feet tall) and motorcycle in driveway. It took a good 15 minutes to relocate all lost souls but those roosting in tree. I have moved roost site farther than this before but appearance of roost was not changed. Appearance of roost is real important. Birds roosting in tree will be allowed to remain unless great horned owls become a problem which I doubt this year since barred owls are so abundant and juvenile great horned owls have not been heard.

Behavior of birds was like a swarm of bees. A group of 20 or so would suddenly go in one direction apparently under leadership of one bird in each instance. I think a particular call was made that may be similar to that made by birds happily on roost. This mess also resulted in cohorts intermingling while in roost.

 

[centrarchid]

GETTING BIRDS TO PACK TIGHTLY IN REMOTE ROOST


Getting the maximal number of birds in the remote roost has not been realized. Image below shows how they can pack in when placed in by hand. If they were enter on their own, less than 1/2 as many would fit. They do not make room.

Alternative situation is with front porch flock which is a natural family unit (rooster, 2 hens, 10 juvenile offspring).

Some difference is because of social structure, some may be due to differences in how roost poles are arranged. Pole arrangement will be played with next.