Newbie needs help...2 y/o hens becoming agressive/strange

[TwoCrows]

As for checking vents, you can hold the bird backwards and look at the vent. (beak behind you, tail out in front.)

 

[Hen-rietta]

Thank you TwoCrows! That seems like very helpful information. I will try them both and think all of us will feel better for it. I will be less nervous if I can't see that they are nervous and I will make the curtains as soon as I can. Work is letting us out early tomorrow in anticipation of the holiday so I will do it before everyone comes home. I need to check their vent feathers mostly so I'm sure if they are all tangled up in the towel it will make it easier.

 

[sourland]

If your roosting bar is below the nest boxes or is somewhat unstable, the hens will prefer the nest box to the roost; hence, the pooping in the nest box.

 

[Hen-rietta]

The strange part is that this is their original coop. The same one they've had for almost 2 years now. I'm going to get my husband to find a way to keep it in place while still allowing me to take it out when I clean the coop. When I get around (time & money is more like it) to building a coop to my standards and wants then I'll make them flat on the bottom they stay but until then, I'll keep the "stick" they have in there. Thanks for the tips. This site and it's members have been so helpful. I should have joined long before now.