Sleeping outside in freezing weather

[alinas2010]

Makes perfect sense now. I feel awful.

Don’t feel awful, you’re trying so hard to correct the issue, and that is something to feel good about. Those prefab coops can be so misleading in nature as to what is appropriate for an adult chicken. Very good on you for watching out for your chickens and correcting things

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Don’t feel awful, you’re trying so hard to correct the issue, and that is something to feel good about. Those prefab coops can be so misleading in nature as to what is appropriate for an adult chicken. Very good on you for watching out for your chickens and correcting things

Thanks for that. I know the pre fab isn’t ideal but hopefully with my modifications it can work. I’m always trying to do new things for them. Right now they’re out roaming the property with their pig brother

 

[alinas2010]

Thanks for that. I know the pre fab isn’t ideal but hopefully with my modifications it can work. I’m always trying to do new things for them. Right now they’re out roaming the property with their pig brother

I like that prefab coop. It’s a million times better than a lot of them out there. Their pig brother from your profile pic, I presume, how adorable!

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Makes perfect sense now. I feel awful.

Don't be hard on yourself are they going in their coop now?

 

[KimbosKluckers]

I like that prefab coop. It’s a million times better than a lot of them out there. Their pig brother from your profile pic, I presume, how adorable!

Yep, that’s Rufus. They love each other. Thanks for your help.

Don't be hard on yourself are they going in their coop now?

Thanks…they were in out and out as I was trying to work, of course I won’t know for sure until tonight. I may push them in so they can see the new bars, otherwise, creatures of habit…they may not realize.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Yep, that’s Rufus. They love each other. Thanks for your help.

Thanks…they were in out and out as I was trying to work, of course I won’t know for sure until tonight. I may push them in so they can see the new bars, otherwise, creatures of habit…they may not realize.

I know this sounds kind of, well, "rude" to do this to your chickens, but you can lock them in their coop for a bit and MAKE them realize that the perches are updated lol

 

[KimbosKluckers]

I know this sounds kind of, well, "rude" to do this to your chickens, but you can lock them in their coop for a bit and MAKE them realize that the perches are updated lol

So rude!! but I agree and that may be what I have to do. I remember when I did that when I first moved them there from the brooder. It was sooo sad but they caught on quick

 

[D13]

I’ve checked. I actually cleaned it completely a few weeks back with new shavings. I didn’t notice any bugs or rodent droppings, nothing. My first thought was something wrong with the bedding because that’s when it started…but it’s the other half of the same bag of shavings I used a month or two prior..before I cleaned it out, it was filthy with poop and now it’s clean still because they only go in to lay eggs. Hmmm


EDIT…I just inspected again, found super tiny mouse droppings However I’ve seen them kill huge mice. Would they be afraid?
View attachment 3981092

I doubt that they would be so scared of tiny mice that they wouldn't go home at night... Is it all of them staying out of the coop or just a select few? If it's just a few, there could possibly be a bossy chicken trying to keep the others off the roosts.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

I doubt that they would be so scared of tiny mice that they wouldn't go home at night... Is it all of them staying out of the coop or just a select few? If it's just a few, there could possibly be a bossy chicken trying to keep the others off the roosts.

I don’t see any bullying but maybe I miss it. But all 6 started this together then I changed the light situation and 2 or 3 will go in now. I’m hoping the bars I replaced today was the culprit

 

[KimbosKluckers]

So last night after dark all 6 were roosting outside. I shoved them in one by one and blocked the door for a few hours while they settled in. They were truly cussing me out. Stupid me forgot to put the camera in to see the situation. Will do that tonight.