- Jun 3, 2021
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So in all of today's work, I didn't think about the fact that we've never used wood shavings in the coop. I did find evidence of wood in the clean out, but it was there and buried before .... like the carpet (
ā). Fast forward to shavings spread in the coop. A few braved the new flooring, but were highly skittish before bedtime. Round bedtime I go out to watch. it looked like a game of tag with the floor being the hot lava. (They dont even want to roost above the shavings: circular hopping/chasing of MY roost across the roosts...and along the top of the nest boxes). I turned on the light to see if that would help: it did. They started to step in, then reversed course....repeatedly. They came in and walked along the railroad tie foundation rather than across the floor. They came I and took a couple of steps in to get to the food and water: namely the cinder block step between. They hopped up on top of the food bin, then jumped for the roost. They jumped from the foundation, making a half turn mid-air to land the roost. They (attempted) to jump from the doorway. Note: when attempting to launch with wings, launching from a restricted area with some overhead, flight / jump is seriously abortive. They jumped and missed, short by at least a foot....twice... At one point, there were 4 birds on top of the nest boxes (they usually refuse more than 3). Cheetah came in, ignored the floor, jumped, landed easy-peasy. Then, he jumped for the top of the boxes. again, no problem (bird count:5). Turns, stands tall, looks me in the eye, and clucks authoritatively (i think he was over the girls shenanigans by then: Alrighty then, all y'all get up here NOW!). Nellie immediately follows, landing BETWEEN his feet, squeezes on through and stands up....taking him off his feet and dislodging him to the floor. (I'm laughing so hard I'm crying while writing this LATER). He storms out of the coop and I can hear him outside venting his spleen: no crows, LOTS of BOK ...Storm, last girl out skitters in and semi settles. More shuffling, no one wants to be over the shavings. Silver and Pear keep shuffling on the boxes too. I disconnect the hook holding the door open and keep waiting for Cheetah, still outside cussing. 10-15 min later, he finally comes back in and hops up. Quick shut the hatch. Jess had come back down (been pushed) so was grabbing a bite. By this point, I've been out there for almost an hour and a half and it's mostly dark. (Sun was in contact with the horizon when I went out). Turned out the light, quiet ensues, except for unhappy crooning from Jess who now can't see well enough to roost. I picked her up, put her in an open place, said goodnight and left. The lowest ranked birds got the most experience with the wood and seem least concerned. I know they'll settle down, but wow! And Jess came in while I was working with the shovel and laid her egg. (The rest gave it wide birth).
ā). Fast forward to shavings spread in the coop. A few braved the new flooring, but were highly skittish before bedtime. Round bedtime I go out to watch. it looked like a game of tag with the floor being the hot lava. (They dont even want to roost above the shavings: circular hopping/chasing of MY roost across the roosts...and along the top of the nest boxes). I turned on the light to see if that would help: it did. They started to step in, then reversed course....repeatedly. They came in and walked along the railroad tie foundation rather than across the floor. They came I and took a couple of steps in to get to the food and water: namely the cinder block step between. They hopped up on top of the food bin, then jumped for the roost. They jumped from the foundation, making a half turn mid-air to land the roost. They (attempted) to jump from the doorway. Note: when attempting to launch with wings, launching from a restricted area with some overhead, flight / jump is seriously abortive. They jumped and missed, short by at least a foot....twice... At one point, there were 4 birds on top of the nest boxes (they usually refuse more than 3). Cheetah came in, ignored the floor, jumped, landed easy-peasy. Then, he jumped for the top of the boxes. again, no problem (bird count:5). Turns, stands tall, looks me in the eye, and clucks authoritatively (i think he was over the girls shenanigans by then: Alrighty then, all y'all get up here NOW!). Nellie immediately follows, landing BETWEEN his feet, squeezes on through and stands up....taking him off his feet and dislodging him to the floor. (I'm laughing so hard I'm crying while writing this LATER). He storms out of the coop and I can hear him outside venting his spleen: no crows, LOTS of BOK ...Storm, last girl out skitters in and semi settles. More shuffling, no one wants to be over the shavings. Silver and Pear keep shuffling on the boxes too. I disconnect the hook holding the door open and keep waiting for Cheetah, still outside cussing. 10-15 min later, he finally comes back in and hops up. Quick shut the hatch. Jess had come back down (been pushed) so was grabbing a bite. By this point, I've been out there for almost an hour and a half and it's mostly dark. (Sun was in contact with the horizon when I went out). Turned out the light, quiet ensues, except for unhappy crooning from Jess who now can't see well enough to roost. I picked her up, put her in an open place, said goodnight and left. The lowest ranked birds got the most experience with the wood and seem least concerned. I know they'll settle down, but wow! And Jess came in while I was working with the shovel and laid her egg. (The rest gave it wide birth).
it always looks like a massacre when someone gets into a discussion with Sammy or Dean, Or my Bully Girlā¦ even without a serious injury it looks just awful!
honestly chickens are a little crazy, or maybe more than a littleā¦ Iāve used
