Hens avoiding coop at night ?

[Maddistee]

Hi all,

I have 3 hens all the same age, however 2 or the 3 have started to refuse to roost in the coop at night while the other one stays in there all night and half the day, she also isn’t broody at all.

The other 2 have decided to roost on the dogs bed.

I also cleaned the coop out and checked it for mites.

 

[aart]

Need more info to garner advice.

How old are birds, in weeks or months?

How big is coop, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics are essential here.

Do you have a run or just free range?

How did you check for mites?
Some hide all day in cracks and crevices and come out to feed on the birds at night.
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[Iluveggers]

How big is your coop? A pic of the inside and outside would help!

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, photos and dimensions, please?