Scared the poor things!

[12GAGirl]

Ok, my husband and I went buck shed hunting yesterday and I found this block of wood that I thought would be a good perch for my chickens out in their yard. However, when I took it in the yard with them they were scared of it. They all went to the oppiste side of the yard and started making all kinds of noise. So, I left it in the yard last night figuring they would get use to it bt this morning they were still acting like they didn't want the block of wood in the yard.

I moved an old pool ladder in the yard a few weeks ago and the hens loved it jumping up on it and pushing each other off it. It is funny how a piece of wood is so scarey to them.

 

[Keri78]

Maybe it has some kind of animal smell on it that's freaking them out???

 

[CoopCrazy]

Quote:
I think this is a very valid possibiliy.. If a predator had sprayed or otherwise marked the wood then the chickies would be frightened of it.. Then again it could just be sill spazzy chickens.. Mine were afriad of oatmeal at one point

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
At first, mine were all afraid of BOSS! (Black oil sunflower seeds.) Finally one of 'em got brave enough to peck at the dangerous little black things in their treat dish; nothing bad happened to her. They all tested the BOSS, decided they were pretty nifty. Nifty enough to fight over the treat bowl when I put the BOSS in it.

So, now, I toss a handful or two out into the run so everybody can get some. But, yah, they do get a'skeered of the silliest things.

 

[Sequin]

Quote:
Does this mean looking for antlers? My dogs Love chewing on them. How cool that you can just find them by hunting through the woods. Wish I could do that!!!

Sorry your chickens are flippin' out over the wood piece. My chickens flip out over the weirdest stuff too, go figure. Maybe give it another day and see how they start reacting. If not, I wouldn't force the issue - you don't want to stress them out too much.

 

[12GAGirl]

Quote:
Does this mean looking for antlers? My dogs Love chewing on them. How cool that you can just find them by hunting through the woods. Wish I could do that!!!

Sorry your chickens are flippin' out over the wood piece. My chickens flip out over the weirdest stuff too, go figure. Maybe give it another day and see how they start reacting. If not, I wouldn't force the issue - you don't want to stress them out too much.

Yes, we go out to our local state owned wildlife management areas and just hike through the woods searching for the sheds. I use them from decorations around my home. Regarding the chickens and the piece of wood, I moved it to a corner of the yard and they are slowly inching near it. I put some weeds and scratch feed on top of it to see if their stomachs would get the best of them.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Go out and spend some time around it. If they see you are not afraid (yes you did bring it in, but in their minds this thing trapped you - you got away and it is waiting for them

) soon they will want to know what it is.

 

[MareeZoCool]

Quote:
At first, mine were all afraid of BOSS! (Black oil sunflower seeds.) Finally one of 'em got brave enough to peck at the dangerous little black things in their treat dish; nothing bad happened to her. They all tested the BOSS, decided they were pretty nifty. Nifty enough to fight over the treat bowl when I put the BOSS in it.

So, now, I toss a handful or two out into the run so everybody can get some. But, yah, they do get a'skeered of the silliest things.

My roo won't eat anything until the hen eats it first. It took him 2 months to trust ME and my hands full of treats! LOL! crazy bird!

 

[Daidohead]

Quote:
Thank you for the chuckle

 

[12GAGirl]

Well, I tried putting some weeds on the stump and they left their favorite treat just laying there so I have given up and removed it from the yard. They freaked out again when I picked the wood up so I am going to leave it outside the yard for a few days and see if they will do any better with it then. I did rake up some leave and put in the yard and they have enjoyed scratching around in the piles of leaves scattering them everywhere.