I moved the four surviving RIR pullets into the Fortress of Attitude a few days ago, from where they had been living in relative bliss in Landlady’s Big Chickenhouse. For two days, they more-or-less completely refused to leave the coop. They just stayed in there, shitting with copious and oblivious ecumenicism on their food, water, perches, nesting box, and pretty much everything except one another. I’ll spare you the mess I have to clean up in there.
Then first thing this frosty morning (38o F? Really? It’s almost June, you know) I found them all out in the run, cheerfully scratching around as if they’d been doing it all along. Far from terrorizing them, Selma ignored their existence. I have made a firm resolution to stop trying to apply logic to any question of chicken behavior.
Y’know, at this age they’re still kinda cute. Annoying and useless, but there are vestiges of cuteness.
Ok, cute it is. 🙂 First thing I wondered, however, is whether or not that little door thing is secured so a gust of wind doesn’t blow it into their faces at some point. Might make them shy about using the doorway after that… Just curious.
Yup, firmly secured either open or closed. In fact the reason I put the bar on the big door is that for some reason the original hook-and-eye wouldn’t always stay hooked while the door is closed. It works fine when I hook it open.
Around here it’s best to always consider what the wind’s gonna do, to all your works.
Good deal. I figured as much, but could not see anything holding that door open. 🙂 Having dealt with serious wind most of my life, it is something I’m always aware of and plan for. Not that I always manage to succeed, of course. LOL