Behavior change?

[lawsonchickens]

i saw behavior in this thread so I hope it's the right spot. I have 2 hens (a small yard so I can't have more) and they have been laying for a good 3 weeks to month now, and ever since they have been able to be outside the coop and run they have always gone back into their cool to roost before dark. But just starting this week they are not going in there. They are staying out by my back door and I have to coax them to their run and manually put them in their coop. Does anyone have any ideas of why all of a sudden they would start changing their ways and staying out?
Thank you all in advance!

 

[3ChickensNADuck]

They might see your backdoor as better. Mine like to stay by the backdoor too. I think they like the light, to look inside, be near or something. Bribing them with treats andthrowing some in their coop. I always got them to follow me back to there coop and train them without manually picking them up. I like using dry dog food, cause they like it, its cheap and its already laying around the house. Or sometimes I could get them to do things with their regular layers feed.

 

[Mahen100]

I can think of a few reasons they might prefer a place other than the coop. If there was a disturbance in the coop, like a predator chasing them there, they may be hesitant to return. Is it warmer on the porch? If the coop is drafty, they may prefer elsewhere. One common reason in "tight" or poorly ventilated coops is ammonia buildup. I recall one writer saying if the ammonia smell bothered you in there, it surely bothered the chickens more. If that is the reason, a partial clean out and adding new shavings to reduce the ammonia might help entice them back. I am sure there are other reasons, and just wanting to be near you may be one of them, Enticing them back to their coop at dusk and shutting them in a few evenings might get them back in the habit of roosting there.

 

[azygous]

I think Mayhen nailed it.

Remember, chickens are also flock animals, and with just the two of them, they may be searching for a sense of security in numbers, and that would include you and your family. They want to be close to you at roosting time because they aren't feeling secure.

Check that coop over really well for all the things Mayhen pointed out.

 

[aart]

Could be mites on the roost too.