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Roosting out in the run instead of in their house.

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post #1 of 7

1/2/12 at 6:51pm

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undercoverchick

Joined: 5/2011
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At first all but four hens were roosting in their chicken house. Then suddenly all of my girls decided to roost outside in the run. Well now it's getting very cold and windy here in South Carolina. How do I get them to go back at night. I already have a light that goes on an hour before dark, there is an all night light on the garage near their pen. Could that make a difference? Help!!

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post #2 of 7

1/2/12 at 6:58pm

MicheleC

Location: Lake Charles
Joined: 5/2011
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I've had the same problem. I started locking them in every night. It took about a week and they started going back in on their own.

Owner of EE, Maran, SS, Australorp, RIR, BR, some awesome mixes, 4 dogs, a cat, a Parrot and a bunny!!!

post #3 of 7

1/2/12 at 7:10pm

Malita

Location: McKinney, TX
Joined: 6/2011
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Two of my girls roost outside but lay inside. Thus they darn well know where inside is. During two bad stormms I have stuffed them inside. One was cold so I closed the door. The other they came back out during the storm but after the worst of it. As it is a fully enclosed run (top enclosed) I figured they couldn't go too far. The one hen of nine that is molting is one that sleeps outside every night in north Texas with below freezing temperatures. Silly birds!

Mom to 1 mille fleur, 2 sebrights, 2 RIR, 1 barred rock, 2 production reds, 2 silkies, 1 serama, 1 ameracauna, 1 mutt rooster and 1 I have no idea what she is, 3 feline babies, and a chihuahua!

post #4 of 7

1/2/12 at 8:49pm

ChickenPrnces

Location: Deerfield, NH
Joined: 1/2012
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I am having the same problem! My girls preferred to sleep under the barn instead of in it! Sooooo.....we chicken wired off the underside of the barn and now they all come in at night all by themselves!

Proud momma of 4 Kids, 3 Cats, 3 Dogs, 5 Geese, 10 Quail, 50+ Chickens, 3 Royal Palm Turkeys, 5 Guineas, 3 Rabbits, 8 Goats, and 2 COMPLETELY EMPTY 'BATORS! DARN WINTER!!!:( *NPIP Certified Flock*

http://chickenswapsofnh.com/

*****REST IN PEACE CAPT. JACK - 6/23/12*****

http://chickenswapsofnh.com/

*****REST IN PEACE CAPT. JACK - 6/23/12*****

post #5 of 7

1/2/12 at 10:21pm

skunknchatter

Location: Northern Utah
Joined: 8/2007
Posts: 262
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Quote:

Originally Posted by MicheleC

I've had the same problem. I started locking them in every night. It took about a week and they started going back in on their own.

X2

Mine still roost out in good weather sometimes but always go in for cold and storms now.

Chickens are like potato chips...

post #6 of 7

1/3/12 at 6:17am

flowergirl60

Location: Austin Tx
Joined: 2/2011
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Take the roost out of the run. I don't have mine in the run for that reason.

1 Rhode Island Red Foxy Loxy, I New Hamphire Red (Peeps). Rest in peace my Henny Penny. You will never be forgotten. 1 outside kitty (Ivy) and 3 very grown children.

post #7 of 7

1/3/12 at 7:58am

Malita

Location: McKinney, TX
Joined: 6/2011
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The roost in the run provides additional space on the days the girls don't get to free range. In the summer time, the girls like it as it gets them up into a breeze during the evening 'hang around in the run and snack' phase of the day. I'm not worried about them sleeping outside as I stuff them in during bad weather and I know they know how to go in on their own.

Mom to 1 mille fleur, 2 sebrights, 2 RIR, 1 barred rock, 2 production reds, 2 silkies, 1 serama, 1 ameracauna, 1 mutt rooster and 1 I have no idea what she is, 3 feline babies, and a chihuahua!