MagicTheFamiliar
In the Brooder
So we have 7 chickens about 6 months old that we keep in a protected run most of the time (bc raccoons + hawks). We have hardware cloth wrapped around all sides and bottom. The 3 standard chickens sleep in their coop no problem, but we have a separate coop for the 4 silkies. From NIGHT 1 they needed to be carried into the coop or else they dogpile in a random spot on the ground. I've been physically picking up the birds and locking them in their coop at night but they just wont recognize it as "house. protection. nest." They never even try to climb up the ramp which is just inches off the ground. (They're fine walking down it every morning though)
This has gone on for MONTHS and i'm about to leave for classes so I will probably have to get my sister or someone to do it. I read that sometimes silkies just do this but Idk how I feel about them being exposed from all sides at night, (albeit inside a protected run) and then just laying eggs all over the ground when chicken puberty hits. Does anyone else just leave them be, or are silkie owners used to manually moving them every night? At this point IDK if they'll ever learn.
This has gone on for MONTHS and i'm about to leave for classes so I will probably have to get my sister or someone to do it. I read that sometimes silkies just do this but Idk how I feel about them being exposed from all sides at night, (albeit inside a protected run) and then just laying eggs all over the ground when chicken puberty hits. Does anyone else just leave them be, or are silkie owners used to manually moving them every night? At this point IDK if they'll ever learn.
