My Misadventures in Chicken Comfort

Sometimes, even the best intentions go hilariously awry. In an effort to make my chickens cozier at night, I decided to line the wire bottom of their coop with coconut husk mats. It seemed like a great idea—soft, warm, and natural. What could go wrong? Apparently, a lot. Last night, as I rounded up my flock for bed, I noticed something strange. They were not happy. Instead of their usual hustle into the coop, they hesitated and milled around nervously. I had to coax them in one by one, and even then, one stubborn hen refused to step onto the liners at all. To get her inside, I had to open a side door that bypassed the mats entirely. This morning, I expected the usual parade of chickens rushing out of the coop, eager to greet the day. Instead, only the two roosters emerged, looking bewildered but brave. The hens? Not a peep. When I went back to check, I found them inside the coop, huddled together and clearly confused. Realizing my cozy addition had completely backfired, I started removing the liners. Once I had taken out two of them, a few hens ventured out cautiously. The rest needed more convincing, so I opened the side doors again to give them a clearer escape route. Lesson learned: chickens don’t always appreciate upgrades, even if they’re meant for their comfort. Sometimes, sticking with what they’re used to is the best way to keep the peace. So much for my good intentions! For now, I’m back to the basics—and my chickens couldn’t be happier.