Transitioning from roofed to roofless run

[K0k0shka]

I am just amazed at how great your hens look! Every one of mine is in the worst molt ever and look atrocious!

Mine are too young to molt, that's why! Check back this time next year and we'll see how great they look then

 

[aart]

The area under the umbrellas is quite dry. And yet, this is what the chickens have to say to that

Have they been out under them at all yet?
Maybe they are still...."WTH is that NEW thing?!?!"

 

[K0k0shka]

Have they been out under them at all yet?
Maybe they are still...."WTH is that NEW thing?!?!"

They spent all day under them yesterday and seemed fine. They were out for part of the morning today, too. It's just when I went out mid-morning to check on them, the run was completely empty and my mind went straight to the worst possible scenarios, checking for breaks in the netting etc. Then I opened the coop and found them sulking in there I guess they're still adjusting to the idea. I've given them options, and at this point the choice is theirs. They can stay inside if they want. They have twice the recommended area both in the coop and in the run, so hopefully they won't start picking on each other either way.

I lured them out with sunflower seeds. It's been an hour now and they're still outside. I guess I'll need to occasionally bribe them to come out until they see it's no big deal.

 

[K0k0shka]

I should note that because they were brooded in our house and heavily handled and played with their whole lives so far, witnessed the construction of their run while they were already in it, and the disassembling of the roof, they are extremely desensitized to noise and strange new objects. The kids bring their yard toys in there and play in the run, with the chickens coming over to check everything out and to "help" It's adorable. The Barnevelders are still a tiny bit jumpy if it's something too outrageous, but the Orps don't care. They love new things and come over to investigate everything. I had to make sure not to step on them when I had the ladder in there working on the roof, because they were climbing it trying to get a better look at what I was doing We just cleaned up the yard with the leaf blower the other day, including around the run, and the chickens were lined up by their fence looking curiously. This has been really helpful in my case against the unfounded noise complaints from the neighbors. These chickens do not startle and scream easily.

 

[countryladyNH]

They spent all day under them yesterday and seemed fine. They were out for part of the morning today, too. It's just when I went out mid-morning to check on them, the run was completely empty and my mind went straight to the worst possible scenarios, checking for breaks in the netting etc. Then I opened the coop and found them sulking in there I guess they're still adjusting to the idea. I've given them options, and at this point the choice is theirs. They can stay inside if they want. They have twice the recommended area both in the coop and in the run, so hopefully they won't start picking on each other either way.

I lured them out with sunflower seeds. It's been an hour now and they're still outside. I guess I'll need to occasionally bribe them to come out until they see it's no big deal.

We got 2 Speckled Sussex chicks last April so this is their first fall. With our 6 Buff Orpingtons, they did not molt the first fall, and continued to lay eggs---not as many, but all year. Now, the 'littles' are molting horribly and NO eggs at all.

 

[K0k0shka]

We got 2 Speckle
We got 2 Speckled Sussex chicks last April so this is their first fall. With our 6 Buff Orpingtons, they did not molt the first fall, and continued to lay eggs---not as many, but all year. Now, the 'littles' are molting horribly and NO eggs at all.

Wow, the spring chicks are molting?? I didn't know they did that, their first year. Mine are April babies, too, but haven't started laying yet (they'll be 30 weeks old on Sunday). They're putting all their body resources towards those fluffy silky feathers and have forgotten about the whole laying eggs thing

 

[countryladyNH]

Wow, the spring chicks are molting?? I didn't know they did that, their first year. Mine are April babies, too, but haven't started laying yet (they'll be 30 weeks old on Sunday). They're putting all their body resources towards those fluffy silky feathers and have forgotten about the whole laying eggs thing

Yeah, our SS 'littles' were quite different from the Buff Orps we have. They laid eggs for the first time in late July and early August!!! Even so, they shouldn't molt now according to our past experience but boy, they are and look awful. NO ONE is laying any eggs, which is also a first. We always got a few eggs a week during winter.

 

[countryladyNH]

I should note that because they were brooded in our house and heavily handled and played with their whole lives so far, witnessed the construction of their run while they were already in it, and the disassembling of the roof, they are extremely desensitized to noise and strange new objects. The kids bring their yard toys in there and play in the run, with the chickens coming over to check everything out and to "help" It's adorable. The Barnevelders are still a tiny bit jumpy if it's something too outrageous, but the Orps don't care. They love new things and come over to investigate everything. I had to make sure not to step on them when I had the ladder in there working on the roof, because they were climbing it trying to get a better look at what I was doing We just cleaned up the yard with the leaf blower the other day, including around the run, and the chickens were lined up by their fence looking curiously. This has been really helpful in my case against the unfounded noise complaints from the neighbors. These chickens do not startle and scream easily.

LOL, yes, hubby was blowing leaves all weekend. The hens were in the run and could have cared less. The ducks and goose roaming around the yard, oblivious. Mayflower, our Pilgrim goose would occasionally trail over to see what he was doing. She is very curious---nosy, lol! She loves everything with wheels and will run after him as he pulls the yard dump cart we have, getting excited~Sunday AM while cleaning the coops (his turn), a MOOSE almost hit by a car, crossed into our yard and walked straight by him in the yard (within 15 ft.) and the ducks and goose! The ducks started quacking frantically and the goose went into protection mode, extending her neck and honking, but they didn't run away, and the moose ignored everyone and loped up our hill into the woods!

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I am just amazed at how great your hens look! Every one of mine is in the worst molt ever and look atrocious!

Don't feel bad mine are the same way. I wouldn't take a picture of them.

 

[countryladyNH]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! LOL, I took these photos of my Buff Orps last year. I made the Pilgrim collars with cupcake papers that I just cut!