My Ladies Are Acting Scared ?

[sherrysusan]

Hi,

So my 8 gals are in their new 8x10 coop w/ a nice-size run. Just have to finish painting it . . . the first couple of days - got a couple eggs & they were spending ample time in the run . . . but for the last 4 days, they won't leave the coop & go out in the run - just hanging out in the coop . . . not laying eggs . . . could they be stressed from the move?

They are not cackling in fear - just standing in a corner ... I've looked all around in/out and do not see anything - what could be the matter? Today my collie dog was standing about 10' from it, staring at coop & barking ... he never ever barks unless something is wrong (a very smart dog)

The ladies were free range until they got their new dwelling . . . should I turn them back out? I want to make sure they are adjusted to new house so they go in it at night before letting them out again, plus I have to clean out their old sleeping area so they don't go back there

Your advice is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,
sherry

 

[Rocky Rhodes]

Hi,

So my 8 gals are in their new 8x10 coop w/ a nice-size run. Just have to finish painting it . . . the first couple of days - got a couple eggs & they were spending ample time in the run . . . but for the last 4 days, they won't leave the coop & go out in the run - just hanging out in the coop . . . not laying eggs . . . could they be stressed from the move?

They are not cackling in fear - just standing in a corner ... I've looked all around in/out and do not see anything - what could be the matter? Today my collie dog was standing about 10' from it, staring at coop & barking ... he never ever barks unless something is wrong (a very smart dog)

The ladies were free range until they got their new dwelling . . . should I turn them back out? I want to make sure they are adjusted to new house so they go in it at night before letting them out again, plus I have to clean out their old sleeping area so they don't go back there

Your advice is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,
sherry

There could be a snake hidden somewhere, I would do another search. I had a black snake in my coop a few weeks ago and my hens were acting the way you described. A snake can really hide well, and a chicken coop is like a buffet for them. Chicken feed can attract rodents and the snakes will be after rodents and eggs. Unless it is a large snake it probably wouldn't go after your hens. Check all the nests also, the snake in my coop was curled up in a nest with an egg halfway down it's throat.

 

[sherrysusan]

Oh that could be b/c I did just see the shell of an egg, and I can't believe my chickens did that so quickly! The coop was built on skids, so there is definitely opportunity for stuff to crawl under there . . . I am too much of a coward to put my head down there and look more closely . . . like I said, my good collie dog was barking at the coop this morning, and he only barks when there is something actually wrong

So depressing . . . thought the answer to my chicken woos would be over w/ the new coop . . . just different problems unfortunately. Am going to toss some mole/vole (MoleMax) underneath it and see what happens

Could the snake be hiding in the shavings? I put 2 bags down b/c it was recommended to have bedding 4" deep, so walking in there, I could step on it ... am phobic of spiders/snakes (anything creepy/crawly)

ugh ... so let down ...

 

[Rocky Rhodes]

You can find out more ways to deal with snakes by clicking on this link.https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/snake-chicken-predators-how-to-protect-your-chickens-from-snakes Good luck!!

 

[sherrysusan]

Thank you ... the only good snake is a dead snake ... oh boy ... the ups/downs of having a few chickens

 

[nicole camp]

They may be a hawk near by too.

 

[21hens-incharge]

We have a lot of garden snakes where I live. Never large and certainly not going after chicken eggs. BUT If you want to know if you have a snake under the coop...
I would squirt the garden hose under on HIGH pressure. The snakes here HATE the cold water and move away from it rather quickly.
If there is a snake under there it should high tail it out and then you can use hardware cloth to skirt the bottom of the coop to prevent reentry.

If there is a snake you should hear it moving before it hits the edge. Be ready to scramble too just in case it does not have another way out except where you are at.

Just what I would do.

 

[sherrysusan]

Okay, will try the water hose tomorrow ... although my PSI isn't anything to brag about ... did put some MoleMax underneath tonight, just a few inches, as far as my foot would push it, and even that bothers me ...

Thanks everybody, this is most helpful