New Flock isn't laying or roosting - please help

[GC-Raptor]

makes snow melt time better too.

Yep, one day of sun and ground is bare in shoveled area.

GC

 

[Birdsong 82]

I know somebody that used to lay a tarp down before it would snow and put bricks around it to weigh it down that way it was easy to remove the snow. That way they do at least have some area where it was snow free Well unless there was a couple feet or something

 

[aart]

I know somebody that used to lay a tarp down before it would snow and put bricks around it to weigh it down that way it was easy to remove the snow. That way they do at least have some area where it was snow free Well unless there was a couple feet or something

Right, that might work where one gets an inch or less, once or twice a year.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Yes it definitely works better with a less wet snow. And depends on where you live. Here we get snow not very often and it never amount to much. If people around here more than 3 inches is coming you think the apocalypse was coming

 

[aart]

Yes it definitely works better with a less wet snow. And depends on where you live. Here we get snow not very often and it never amount to much. If people around here more than 3 inches is coming you think the apocalypse was coming

Well, OP is in Canada

 

[rosemarythyme]

This is a huge change for the OPs birds so I do think they'll make progress, but it'll take time for them to "act like chickens" again. So be patient with them and let them move along at a pace that's comfortable for them. In the meantime yes you're going to have to teach them how to roost, where to lay, etc.

Laying slows/ceases when birds are stressed so you can imagine how stressful this is for them, not only being in a new home but seeing the sun and the ground for the first time.

 

[Sheltiepawz]

Here is a pic of some of my girls the day they arrived. We still have snow on the ground, but it was plus 2. I don't think they had ever touched the ground before. The poor girls are so terrible looking with their bear bums, and scruffy feathers.View attachment 2038184

Poor dears. Please keep us updated!

 

[sneakytoes02]

Or shovel if you're physically fit.
I use my snowblower if we get close to a foot or more.
I only shovel half their pen in both Flocks, so I can toss Scratch on the ground.View attachment 2038407View attachment 2038410GC

Good idea. We don't have that much snow, but I will give shoveling a try. And put down some straw.

 

[sneakytoes02]

I made some upgrades to my coop today based on some reading up both in the comments, and on a page I found specific to rescued battery birds. I will post some pics tomorrow, as I forgot today. I was to busy bothering my girls with the reno's, and crooning to them like an idiot. They seemed to enjoy the crooning if not the reno's. I added a ladder up to the roost, a poop board with lip for sand, and a little dust box on the floor inside. They seemed curious about the new dirt/sand box, so maybe that will be a start for them.
Thank you all for the encouragement and advice. I will keep you posted.

 

[sneakytoes02]

Yes it definitely works better with a less wet snow. And depends on where you live. Here we get snow not very often and it never amount to much. If people around here more than 3 inches is coming you think the apocalypse was coming

We get snow here from about October through to April. Usually a dry powdery snow that blows right back to where you shoveled it from. Lol. Some days it seems futile to even bother, but we always do.