Trampoline freaking chickens out.

[ChickenTrees]

Hi all,
I have a question/concern that many may think is stupid and trivial. But if you have any advice, that'd be awesome and very helpful

We have a trampoline, and it is right next to our coop/run (all enclosed setup, and all the sides are chicken wire to provide enough ventilation in our 118 degree Phoenix heat). We really can't move either one. The issue is that whenever we jump on the trampoline, the chickens totally freak out. So we haven't been able to use it. It was a birthday present so this is a huge bummer. Is there anything we can do or provide for the chickens to keep them from freaking out so that we can actually use our trampoline?!

Thanks. Silly question, I know. But it's a legitimate issue!! Haha

 

[rosemarythyme]

I can't answer on the trampoline but wanted to point out that chicken wire is not predator proof against anything, so you may want to beef up with a better material if the point of the wire is to provide protection.

 

[Floppy Pheasant]

Do you let your chickens free range? Chickens love to be outside their coop, they aren't meant to be locked up in a coop 24/7... I could not keep my chickens locked in a coop every day....they deserve fresh air,sunshine, dust baths... their not prisoners, they're pets.

 

[Pugsabi]

Do you let your chickens free range? Chickens love to be outside their coop, they aren't meant to be locked up in a coop 24/7... I could not keep my chickens locked in a coop every day....they deserve fresh air,sunshine, dust baths... their not prisoners, they're pets.

Some places it's illegal to free range. As long as the coop and run are both big enough for the amount of birds you have, it's no issue. Your chickens might be pets to you, but some people keep them as livestock. And that's okay.

 

[ChickNanny13]

My suggestion would be to hang a "curtain" of some kind on the side of your coop/run that shares the view of the trampoline. Think your flock would get used to the noise in time, either that or have a radio "blasting". Your coop/run sounds very similar to mine.

We don't have a predator problem here but we do get "warm", wet & windy weather. I needed something "airy" yet protection from the wind/rain. This is what I came up with, the curtains are shower curtains hung on EMT rods completely around the Chicken House. I can tie the curtains back when I need to, close it down and/or tie it down.

 

[Pugsabi]

When you say freaked out, what do you mean? Are they injuring themselves? You might just have to go slow until they get used to it. Give them a treat, like watermelon, and just sit on the trampoline. Do this a few times for a few days. Then jump for a few minutes, slowly increasing the time until they don't react anymore.

 

[Pugsabi]

My suggestion would be to hang a "curtain" of some kind on the side of your coop/run that shares the view of the trampoline. Think your flock would get used to the noise in time, either that or have a radio "blasting". Your coop/run sounds very similar to mine.

We don't have a predator problem here but we do get "warm", wet & windy weather. I needed something "airy" yet protection from the wind/rain. This is what I came up with, the curtains are shower curtains hung on EMT rods completely around the Chicken House. I can tie the curtains back when I need to, close it down and/or tie it down.

View attachment 1478376

What a clever set up!

 

[ChickenTrees]

I can't answer on the trampoline but wanted to point out that chicken wire is not predator proof against anything, so you may want to beef up with a better material if the point of the wire is to provide protection.

We don't have a problem with predators. We get extreme heat so that's the only reason for the chicken wire - ventilation

 

[ChickenTrees]

Do you let your chickens free range? Chickens love to be outside their coop, they aren't meant to be locked up in a coop 24/7... I could not keep my chickens locked in a coop every day....they deserve fresh air,sunshine, dust baths... their not prisoners, they're pets.

Don't worry, they have plenty of room and access to all of the things you mentioned. they are not cramped in any way and have much more room than they even need. I may be new to the forum but have had chickens for many years now.

 

[Pugsabi]

We don't have a problem with predators. We get extreme heat so that's the only reason for the chicken wire - ventilation

With that heat, I'm surprised people don't just burst into flames wherever they go.