MJ's little flock

[BY Bob]

This gives me hope that some day roosting will become peaceful for my hens as well.

We had made smaller nests in the beginning and also took off the dividers. It happens quite often that two hens lay together in the same nest if they get along well enough.

I would have never thought mine would settle. Essentially Aurora is a terror and they have all found a way to avoid her.

 

[MaryJanet]

The coop is adapted but so have they. When I put the new roof on the coop I broke up the long roost into three unconnected sections and there is the Cluckle Hut to use.

Phyllis, the hen Aurora would drag out by her head feathers at roosting time, doesn't go to the main coop any more. She just goes to the Cluckle Hut to roost.

Hattie the other hen Aurora was always after because she felt the need to intimidate her and keep her from roosting also now sleeps in the Cluckle Hut.

When I broke up the long roost and added the new roost over the window in the Main Coop, Sydney decided to use it to get away from Aurora.

When Glynda and Lady Featherington decided to move away from Phyllis because she was so vicious at night and move to the main coop, Glynda also went to the window roost. Sydney chased her at first but they eventually agreed it was OK to sleep together. Lady Featherington started off with Aurora but decided being pecked was no fun and joined the other two on the window roost.

Aurora cannot easily reach that window roost so those three are pretty safe there.

The order in which everyone goes to bed helps too. Phyllis goes first and then Sydney. Then Hattie joins Phyllis. That leaves Aurora and the kids as late nighters. Glynda and Lady Featherington go to bed together and Aurora is the last to turn in.

Just like when Maleficent was here, Aurora always comes to the back door at dusk looking for one last treat before bed. I surely wish she would not and would roost earlier but that is her pattern at this point.

Separate roosts are such a good idea. I remember when RC suggested it for the hens here and it worked immediately. I haven't had drama at roosting time ever since. Janet goes in first and puts herself on the rafter. Peggy next, then Ivy, usually together. Mary waits until almost dark, then uses the unoccupied roost. Sweet dreams for everyone, even me.

 

[MaryJanet]

They look very nice. You did a nice job putting them together. I left the divider out of the nest box in the Cluckle Hut. Glynda used it for a while but no one uses it now. They all use the main coop or Hattie House. I don't know if it is the lack of a divider or peer pressure.

I did the same in the little coop and it's still used as a nest from time to time. In our case, there's simply no way Mary can squeeze into a normal sized nest. She needs larger spaces.

 

[MaryJanet]

I also have the door to the Cluckle Hut close sooner than the door to the main coop so Aurora is not free to go in and harass them just because she wants to.

This has given me a thought. When the new roost is finished, I may continue on with the big coop for as long as necessary. It might be wise in terms of harmony to allow the hens to choose from the big coop and the new roost. Maybe one day they'll all sleep together.

 

[BY Bob]

This has given me a thought. When the new roost is finished, I may continue on with the big coop for as long as necessary. It might be wise in terms of harmony to allow the hens to choose from the big coop and the new roost. Maybe one day they'll all sleep together.

I think this is a great idea.

 

[MaryJanet]

2 minutes ago...

 

[LozzyR]

Look what we found!

 

[BY Bob]

Look what we found!

How adorable.

 

[RoyalChick]

Look what we found!

Sweet. And what a perfect little hole it makes!

 

[MaryJanet]

Look what we found!

Aww sweet little thing! Any idea what species it is? It looks like a little finch. Or maybe a sparrow.