When I put sand (washed playsand) in the run, none of the birds wanted to step on it. Eventually they did, but it was funny that they were so cautious about it. I had to crawl around in it, to show them that it was safe to step on. Funny chicken memories.
Your post reminded me of this old chestnutSo 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 (). 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).
That's hilarious
I have a pile of sand on the barn for them to dust bathe in, at first they didn't know what to do with it, but once the old gal Penelope uses it for dust bathing the rest followed - they dig it up throw it around dust bathe in it.... I have scrape it up and pile it up daily to keep it contained hahahaWhen I put sand (washed playsand) in the run, none of the birds wanted to step on it. Eventually they did, but it was funny that they were so cautious about it. I had to crawl around in it, to show them that it was safe to step on. Funny chicken memories.
Try Musinex - it will help break down loose mucous - I have a hard time with breathing (asthma...) when I get sick. Have to say best two years I have had with not having kids around (they all stayed away!) and not having sick idiots coughing all over me with the health measures in place here!
) hahaha!
So what are they? I'm assuming names will need some thought.
