We just happened t be in the chicken run when there was a sudden hail storm. I had my camera in my pocket. The hail on the roof was really loud and the entire flock moved from the far part of the run to the part of the run by the patio.
The bigger girls and Rusty headed straight for the new shelter. Emerald ended up beside it rather than inside it but the other three bigger girls and Rusty went straight inside.
Some of the girls run straight to the new shelter during a hail storm
They must feel safe in here
Freckles and the three amigos were hanging out on the other side of the wire just opposite the new shelter.
It was quite a good moment because it showed that some of the girls felt the shelter would protect them even though this part of the run is all covered and dry anyway. My husband remarked that they could always go to the patio or chicken shed but as I have always thought, they prefer a sheltered spot in the run, to the cover of the patio.
It makes me think that in poor conditions they may actually use the shelter, conditions such as windy or frosty days. Time will tell but at least there is now a choice of two shelters and it was interesting to see how quickly some of the girls ran to this shelter when the hail was really loud.
It’s good to think that they felt this was a safe haven. I am really pleased with this new shelter. It has only been in the run a few days and all new things take time for chickens to get used to but this shows that this shelter may prove to be a future hit with the girls.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
How nice for them.
We are glad that they seem to like it. Most of the little girls have now investigated it too.
I love this shelter.
I am really pleased with it. It was so funny how the bigger girls and Rusty ran to it during the hail storm. The whole flock have now tried it out at various times and the bigger girls, especially Speckles, like to sit on top of it too.