Hi Everyone,
I'm brand new to chicken keeping and I think I need some help. Our neighbor's house burned down completely with the exception of their chicken coop. All family, pets and the chicken got out of the fire unharmed. Since the family had to relocate until their house can be rebuilt I volunteered to take care of their chicken until they can move home. Henrietta (the chicken) and I have had some ups and downs as we have been getting to know each other (chickens eat garden snakes?!? ACK! And moulting- good gravy! I thought someone had a pillow fight in her coop..) but over all we've done pretty well and I've learned a lot as time went on. But I think I may have crossed the line. The chicken may be mad at me. Her nest was looking messy (with poop) and so I changed out her hay and put in fresh. Since then she is on a nest strike. She will roost on her perch but seems to want no part of going back into the nice clean nest. I've learned that in cold weather they pretty much stop laying so that's not a problem but I am getting worried about her getting cold out on the drafty roost bar when she could be inside her nice, clean and warm nest. Have I done irreparable damage to Henrietta and her psyche? Is this a normal chicken behavior? She is kind of an older girl- 8-9 years old. Is she maybe just set in her ways? My husband thinks I'm daft for fretting about this but I really want my chicken chaperoning to be a success so our neighbors won't have more worry on their plate than they already do. Also, any tips or advice for a novice on any chicken related topic y'all can throw my way would be really appreciated. I've been reading your forum here and learned so much already. I'm very grateful that y'all are here!
I'm brand new to chicken keeping and I think I need some help. Our neighbor's house burned down completely with the exception of their chicken coop. All family, pets and the chicken got out of the fire unharmed. Since the family had to relocate until their house can be rebuilt I volunteered to take care of their chicken until they can move home. Henrietta (the chicken) and I have had some ups and downs as we have been getting to know each other (chickens eat garden snakes?!? ACK! And moulting- good gravy! I thought someone had a pillow fight in her coop..) but over all we've done pretty well and I've learned a lot as time went on. But I think I may have crossed the line. The chicken may be mad at me. Her nest was looking messy (with poop) and so I changed out her hay and put in fresh. Since then she is on a nest strike. She will roost on her perch but seems to want no part of going back into the nice clean nest. I've learned that in cold weather they pretty much stop laying so that's not a problem but I am getting worried about her getting cold out on the drafty roost bar when she could be inside her nice, clean and warm nest. Have I done irreparable damage to Henrietta and her psyche? Is this a normal chicken behavior? She is kind of an older girl- 8-9 years old. Is she maybe just set in her ways? My husband thinks I'm daft for fretting about this but I really want my chicken chaperoning to be a success so our neighbors won't have more worry on their plate than they already do. Also, any tips or advice for a novice on any chicken related topic y'all can throw my way would be really appreciated. I've been reading your forum here and learned so much already. I'm very grateful that y'all are here!