Ok, one more question (not)
They are all huddled in the corner of the coop- they only seem to move around and eat, or go out into the yard when I go in there. I know they are still afraid of me, but why are they huddled in there when I'm not in there?
Do they just need time to adjust?
They do need time to adjust. I haven't added grown hens since last year, and they were the same way. Probably took them a week or more to feel comfortable. Everything they knew is different. They probably aren't used to having so much space.
So they seem to be adjusting pretty well- they really like this new and improved roost. We spent the day re doing it based on many roost types we've seen here. I also added a lot of pine shavings to the floor to make poop collection easier. I hadn't really though of how I was going to pick up the poo, so I got a large pooper scooper and attached it to an old broomstick handle and it works pretty good.
When I was finished they all came in to inspect our work and they seemed pleased.
Checking out the new roost
Inspecting the finished coop
Thanks again for all the great advice!
Aloha
from the Hale Moa (Chicken House in Hawaiian)
So they seem to be adjusting pretty well- they really like this new and improved roost. We spent the day re doing it based on many roost types we've seen here. I also added a lot of pine shavings to the floor to make poop collection easier. I hadn't really though of how I was going to pick up the poo, so I got a large pooper scooper and attached it to an old broomstick handle and it works pretty good.
When I was finished they all came in to inspect our work and they seemed pleased.
Checking out the new roost
Inspecting the finished coop
Thanks again for all the great advice!
Aloha
from the Hale Moa (Chicken House in Hawaiian)