NY chicken lover!!!!

[Gramma Chick]

I wonder if there is a problem with the coop situation when they won't go in..

That is what I was thinking ...my Spitz hen is picked on by the rest of the flock that are regular size .. Can you give them their own coop ?

 

[Gramma Chick]

I give up moving them into the coop anymore. This picture was taken Friday morning, when it was bitter cold. They were hiding out of the wind.

This Reminds me of when people say " Chickens Know what is best for them ...NOT !
I found NOT ALWAYS ...

 

[Lapeerian]

That is what I was thinking ...my Spitz hen is picked on by the rest of the flock that are regular size .. Can you give them their own coop ?

No, I am not building a separate coop because they wont use it anyways. Not going to psychoanalyze the chickens either. They prefer to roost either in the barn rafters or the trees. At this point if something eats them I really wont care. They make a mess all over everything and we got a big fat 0 eggs yesterday from nearly 30 chickens. I want them all gone. Only going to keep a small handful of the heavy breed hens. Cobalt the AC mix roo can go too.

 

[Aria]

Lapeerian, I HEAR YOU. This happened to us. We had 4 Dr. Whitings given to us. And they created a MESS in our small coop.
POOP all over everything. We had to find them a new home. AND
we did. Waiting for a small break in the weather to CLEAN the MESS.
Aria

 

[rancher hicks]

No, I am not building a separate coop because they wont use it anyways. Not going to psychoanalyze the chickens either. They prefer to roost either in the barn rafters or the trees. At this point if something eats them I really wont care. They make a mess all over everything and we got a big fat 0 eggs yesterday from nearly 30 chickens. I want them all gone. Only going to keep a small handful of the heavy breed hens. Cobalt the AC mix roo can go too.

Well now if your mind is made up. However let me ask, what were they being fed? Seems to me with 30 birds they'd lay at least a few eggs.
Now I've got Delaware and EE's and Frizzles and a Marsh daisy in one coop and I get a few eggs there.
I've got two silkies, (lord have mercy) two Barred EEs and four Marans in a coop and I get about three or four eggs there. One silkie has tried to sit on eggs and that isn't happening.
My Big Delores coop hasn't laid in a few days but they're taking a break I expect.

I did find an egg on the floor of my Lavender coop. Theyr'e all newbies so I don't kow who laid that egg.

Point Domestic chickens have to be fed a balanced nurtrition. I am aware there are some on here who may prefer to mix their own or just feed nilly willy. To much scratch or non feed items can have it's affect.

As for going in a coop, I always keep mind in the coop of my preference a few days. When I have a run of course they have no where else to go.
I do get the occasional hen who wants to choose her coop but I just keep moving her back. Only Big Delores' coop doesn't have a run. They free range in the fenced in yard.

Too I do think even my own hatched mutts may not lay well. Course Big Delores laid a few this summer but she's nearly 6-7. Others like Frenchy who is to be 10 doesn't lay.

Too I hatch my own so the new layers are the hatches of this summer. I've also been reading about Fall chicks and the benefit of growing chicks through the winter months. Sounds good to me but with all things going on not something I can do right now.

Lapeerian, I HEAR YOU. This happened to us. We had 4 Dr. Whitings given to us. And they created a MESS in our small coop.
POOP all over everything. We had to find them a new home. AND
we did. Waiting for a small break in the weather to CLEAN the MESS.
Aria

I am sorry for you trouble. I'm not sure what "poop all over everything" means. Chickens do poop, but that's a given. They're not like cats or dogs who can be trained. I guess I figured folks would know this before they took up chicken keeping. I have one gentleman who got chickens from me and he puts on a glove and picks up their droppings everyday. He only had three hens though. I can't do that with 40+ birds. I do rake the litter in the coop and change it often. Coop cleanings make good compost and is to me anyhow a "second crop".
A run can help for sure. Mine go out 365 days a year. They're never left in the coop even in the most inclement weather.

Had a little difficulty inserting photos.

 

[Gramma Chick]

No, I am not building a separate coop because they wont use it anyways

You are right they probably wouldnt go in it anyways ..

 

[PhoredaBurds]

No, I am not building a separate coop because they wont use it anyways. Not going to psychoanalyze the chickens either. They prefer to roost either in the barn rafters or the trees. At this point if something eats them I really wont care. They make a mess all over everything and we got a big fat 0 eggs yesterday from nearly 30 chickens. I want them all gone. Only going to keep a small handful of the heavy breed hens. Cobalt the AC mix roo can go too.

Were you able to resolve the lice issue? Maybe they associate the coop with being itchy. And we are coming up on the darkest days of the year, so it's normal for them to take a break from laying.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Were you able to resolve the lice issue? Maybe they associate the coop with being itchy. And we are coming up on the darkest days of the year, so it's normal for them to take a break from laying.

Yes mine are slackers too ...right now Molting and laying just a bit ..
2 eggs some days ...I rejoice when I get 4 or 5 .
But if I had to make Feathers I would nt lay a egg either ..
My pullets are starting to lay though

 

[FishMtFarm]

I'm so frustrated. To make a long story short, a guy who bought silkies from me wanted a splash rooster. Contacted him that I had one and he sent me a check and paid for the rooster and shipping. Before I shipped the bird I offered him a package deal on some juveniles and he said he would take them to and to just hold onto the roo and juvies and he would pick them up. A week turned into two, then three. Finally he was able to set at day to come get them. We had everything finalized and he was gonna come Friday morning to get the birds. Well, at 11 on Friday, the morning he was suppose to come, he txt me and says he changes his mind and doesn't want the rooster, just a couple of the young ones. I told him he can't do that, the rooster has been paid for for a month and belongs to him. He proceeded to tell me how his exotics are worth more than my silkies and I lost a lot of business from him. Said he could change his mind whenever he wants and the customer is always right. I dont know where his outburst came from but after trying to be nice and explain that since the rooster was sold to him, I have potentially lost other sales on him and am not gonna get stuck with his rooster. Then he has the nerve to say he will take the rooster then but also wants the two juvies. Ugh, at that point I was mad and told him I'll mail the rooster first thing Monday and he can buy silkies from someone else. I just love how someone gets mad, they know they are wrong, so have to try to slander you and make it sound like they are better even tho their arguement is completely unrelated to what's going on. The weirdest part was when he decided he didn't want the rooster, he told me to keep the money too. That just didn't set right and didn't make sense. So, really hoping this guy doesn't continue to slander me. He's nuts!

 

[Pyxis]

Said he could change his mind whenever he wants and the customer is always right.

I hate that phrase. The proper phrase should be "The customer is often wrong, and frequently a moron." Sorry you're dealing with this guy!