Flock switched to tree roosting

[chocluver]

Hi,

My 5 free ranging chooks have been going home to the coop every single night without issue since we got them 2 months ago. We went away for a few days and something must have happened and they decided not to go back to their coop, instead roosting in a huge tree, very high up.

This evening, I got them on the steps of the coop, eating their seed but they just would not go in. They are fast and haven't been handled. I tried herding, but after an hour, gave up and let them go back to the tree

Any suggestions to persuade them that the coop is home?

Thanks!

 

[sourland]

You are very likely correct in thinking that something probably attacked them in the coop while you were away. Provide feed only in the coop so that they have to enter to eat. Once they are in the coop lock them in for a week or so until hopefully they feel secure once again. Roosting in the trees they are in danger from predators.

 

[chocluver]

Do you think I should try that in the morning? They never go in the coop during the day but I have removed their seed from outside in the hope they will be pretty hungry when they wake up

 

[sourland]

I made the assumption that you do not have a pen - that would make confining them much simpler. It may or may not work in the morning. If they are hungry enough, it very well might. Good luck.

 

[Teila]

Hey chocluver

Just another thought .. besides a possible attack or threat while you were away, another reason chickens may be reluctant to roost in the coop at night could be mites.

This is not a reflection on your chicken husbandry, but red mites can hide in cracks etc and come out at night to feed on the chickens. It may be worth checking that out also.

Another possibility could be mice.

 

[sourland]

Teila points out another valid possibility. I doubt that mites would keep them from entering during the day, but it is a possibility - check it out.

 

[chocluver]

Are the mites pretty easy to see? I had a look but maybe not seeing them. It isn't unusual for them not to go in during the day, they never have. They rest during the day in the garden

 

[Teila]

The mites will be difficult to see during the day as they come out at night to feed on the chickens.

I have read that you can run a tissue or something similar across the underneath of the roost at night time and if there are mites that have recently fed, you will see the evidence on the tissue in the form of spots of blood from the squashed mites but this will probably not work in your case as the chickens have not been roosting there and the mites will not have fed.

There is a great article in the Learning Centre on Mites & Lice:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mites-lice-treatment-and-prevention

 

[sourland]

Check the cracks, corners, crevices - if there are mites you will see them, and they will find you. Been there, done that innumerable times.

 

[Teila]

Yep, been there just this week myself and this time last year!

After last November’s severe infestation [start of our wet season], I was paranoid, stripping the coop every weekend and dousing everything with a spray of diluted Neem oil when dry; lice & mite dust in the nest boxes; treated the chickens etc but even with all of that, after no problems for 12 months, they are back this November

I did, however, manage to nip them in the bud using a pyrethrum based surface spray. I tried this at the recommendation of a breeder and I am by no means advising that others use it and it is simply just a suggestion on which you should make a personal choice but while the gals were out on free range, I gave the coop a good wash and then a hit with the surface spray .. that was Wednesday and the girls are fine and absolutely no signs of mites.

I will go back to the Neem Oil for attempted prevention of an outbreak and would not use the surface spray on a regular basis but will definitely be keeping some handy, just in case.