Chicken Behaviour at night!

[picks]

Not sure if anyone has seen this behavior, but we have (4) very healthy chickens 1 year old... good diet and water, we used to have them in a coop with enclosed run attached to the hen house. We let them free range about 4 - 5 days a week and they would go back into the coop and roost in the hen house at night and I would close the door to secure them inside till the morning.

A few weeks ago, I moved the hen house because we are now seeing coyotes in Northern New Jersey to a safer place, but instead of keeping the coop (so to speak), I made a 10 X 20 X 5' high enclosed run and placed the hen house in side. I am no longer letting them roam because of the predators.

For the first week or two they were behaving normal, laying eggs inside and sleeping inside... however recently they've stopped using the hen house all together! Instead of sleeping inside, they sleep on top of the hen house. They are also laying more eggs outside the hen house, under it ... under some bushes that are in there... is this normal?? what happens in the winter... will they self regulate and start using the hen house again?

Just seems odd to see them all cuddled up onto of the hen house sleeping at night instead of inside... I've checked for animals or things that may spook them inside, but there is nothing there... they seem normal in all ways.

Thoughts??

 

[krista74]

The first thing that springs to mind is red mites.

One of the first signs that red mite is present is that the chickens abandon their nests and roosts because they are being bitten relentlessly.

Red mites are tiny but you will be able to see them by torch light at night. During the day they usually hide in crevices in the coop.

This is what I'd suggest:- At night time, when it's totally dark, head you to your coop with a wad of damp paper towel. Run it along the underside of the roosting bars, and then take it inside to examine it. If there are red mites present, you will see a reddish smear on the paper towel. - this is the blood they have ingested.

If you do find red mites, I'd take this as a clear sign as to why your birds have abandoned their home. You will then need to completely strip out your coop and wash down every available surface with something designed to kill the mites. All nests, roosting bars, walls and the roof will need to be treated, and all bedding replaced. I would follow up with a second treatment 2 weeks later and then keep an eye on it.

Unfortunately red mites are hard to treat. The come into your flock from wild birds, and can cause huge damage to our chicken' health. I sprinkle Pestene Powder (also known as Sevin Dust) into my nests and on my roosts to give a little added protection.

I hope it's not mites, and I wish you all the very best.

Krista

 

[krista74]

Oh.... and

 

[aart]

Agrees pests could be the issue....also is it getting hot and do you have adequate ventilation in the coop?

 

[picks]

I checked and I saw the red mites... ugh..... I am going to start treating and see if I can find the repellant. Can I use a light bleach & water solution to sterilize coop and nesting boxes?

Thanks