Why does a chicken have to poop a cleaned ramp? Do they have a sense of humor?

[sunflour]

Once a week, I remove the ramp, take it out of the run, scrub with soap and water, dry it and replace it. The first time, I was so proud that they would have a clean walk...but in seconds, one or another always goes up and poops just outside the coop door! Why???? The first time, I removed it immediately, but now just let it lay.


The first time this happened, my husband yelled to them "the first to poop the ramp gets a worm". ( but did not do follow thru on the promise)


Do you think they understood and keep hoping he will follow up on the promise? Or just think it is funny. Haven't heard them laugh yet, but think they are smiling!

 

[txnative]

It's just like cats having to use the litter box as soon as it is cleaned, or my horse having to poop in her stall as soon as I've finished mucking it out.

 

[tweb]

Can you do Anything to stop them from pooping on the ramp having major pooping problems

 

[azygous]

I believe our OP intended for this thread to be rhetorical, meaning it's obvious to most of us there is no solution to this issue.

As close as I've been able to figure, chickens often poop in areas where their paths of travel is narrowed down, such as doorways and ramps, because they instinctively pause to assess if it's safe to proceed. And when chickens pause to "think", or what constitutes thought in the chicken brain, they have the urge to poop.

No. There. Is. No. Solution. Expect it. Learn to live with it.

 

[aldarita]

I have always wondered why my chickens always poop in door exists and ramps, it never fails. So azygous explanation rings the bell just right.....while they stop to think, might as well poop. I even thought it was some territorial issue but I don't think chickens go for scents.

 

[aart]

Have chickens, will have chicken poop.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

It's just like cats having to use the litter box as soon as it is cleaned, or my horse having to poop in her stall as soon as I've finished mucking it out.

I never tell my horses when we are going riding or to the farriers. If I do they will hold it until they get into the horse trailer.