Chicken bald back

[Justadmin]

Well day one ended with the first challenge I've encountered as a newbie chicken keeper - both ladies decided that the flat roof of their coop inside the WIR was the optimal place to settle down.

 

I saw them head up the ladder the pop hole as dusk fell. I was thrilled to see them catching on so quickly, but then Mary made a leap for the roof and Belina followed. I waited a half hour then went out, picked them up and put them inside on their perch, much to their protestation.

 

I don't mind leaving them if you think it's okay, the WIR is secure (I hope) so they should be safe from Mr Fox. What I was worried about is that I know they do a lot of their pooing overnight and if they're sleeping on the flat roof won't they get messy feathers? I had a nice newspaper and wood-shavings routine all set up underneath the perch that I planned to change each morning like a dirty nappy lol.

 

Should I move them again tomorrow night or just leave them to it? I don't think they thanked me for moving them today!

 

Thanks for your help!

[Justadmin]

Here they are settling down on the roof, tsk tsk! Hope the link works....

 

http://s1155.photobucket.com/user/Matthew_Fraser/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszuyf2dxs.jpg.html

[Cat tails]

Here they are settling down on the roof, tsk tsk! Hope the link works....

 

http://s1155.photobucket.com/user/Matthew_Fraser/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszuyf2dxs.jpg.html

 

[Cat tails]

Many here have their chickens sleep outside. Mine get shut away each night. But that's because they make way too much noise in the morning and wake up at 4:30 if I'm lucky...

 

Sleeping on the roof shouldn't be a big issue, but as you say, you would be needing to clean it... Which wouldn't be my preference.

Personally I only clean the poop drawer once a week. Chuck out the newspaper and wipe down the roosting bars. I gave up on wood shavings as I found they went mouldy quite quickly.

[Olly]

if the walk-in run is secure, then it's fine for them to sleep on the roof and some hens choose to do this all year round. However as yours are new, it's probably a good idea to get them used to sleeping inside, just in case you want to close the pop-hole door at some point in future. And yes, they will poo all over the roof!

[clucker1]

Yes, if they were mine, I'd move/educate them where their sleeping quarters are. This takes me back early 6 years ago when we were complete newby chicken owners....our chickens first night....with 4 omlet girls we stuffed them in the cube for their first nights sleep and it was literally grabbing them and stuffing them in....they survived their new chicken owners though and funnily enough put themselves to bed properly after that !

[Justadmin]

Thanks everyone. We second night and they went to the roof again. Out I go with a stern look and pick them up and place them inside. Lots of complaining and wing flapping from them.

 

Silly question, but you don't think they'll hold this against me do you? We had a really nice bonding session earlier this afternoon where Belina even voluntarily climbed onto my lap, it was lovely. I don't want to undo all out progress by becoming known as the one who terrorises them at bedtime.

 

Sorry, nervous new parent!

[Cat tails]

Wouldn't worry too much. They'll learn soon enough.

 

To minimize flapping grap with two hands from above around the body, keeping the wings to the body. Are laying already? Because if they do, they might squat for you if you keep an open hand above their body.

[Justadmin]

Thanks, yes that's how I get hold of them but I think because I was trying to be gentle as I felt like I was disturbing their peace and quiet they managed to wriggle their wings free, my fault completely I should have been more assertive.

 

Well, I'll go out to them in the morning and see if all is forgiven. Not laying yet but I think it must be soon as they do sometimes squat when I hold my hand over them, or sometimes they just dart out the way!

 

If they keep naturally going to the roof then I might just let them stay there and deal with the poop. If that's where they want to sleep and they're comfy then I feel mean for interrupting them.

[Justadmin]

Well I've decided to let them be. They slept on the roof last night and this morning there was a large collection of poo BUT it was easy enough to sweep up with a dustpan and brush, the work of a minute really.

 

Might stick another bolt on the main door, better safe than sorry - even if it does mean it'll take me a comically long time to open the door each day.