Chicken wants to sleep outside.

[Catzoo]

I have 3 chickens, two of which are Silkies. These 3 have been together for a year with no problems, and none that I'm aware of now. They all sleep in the nesting box in the coop. I went to check on the girls one evening, it was getting dark, and I found one of my Silkie's huddled in the corner of the pen sleeping. Now, every evening I go down and check on them and she's in the same corner. I take her and put her in the coop and she will stay for the night. Does anyone know why a chicken would start doing this? It's getting cooler and I don't want her out in the elements, plus I'm afraid she might attract predators.

 

[sourland]

Have you checked the coop to assure that it is not infested with red mites ? They come out at night so you can check then with a flashlight.

 

[Catzoo]

No, but I’ll check. How would you get rid of them if there are any?

 

[Catzoo]

I just checked on them but didn’t see anything. All three were sleeping. I have noticed that my oldest chicken’s comb & wattles have been pale since last week. I thought it was due to not laying. She hasn’t had an egg in months. She had a couple lash eggs at the beginning of the year, which my vet treated and she has been doing great since. I have seen a lot of white feathers in the nesting box this week, that are coming from the Silkie I’m having trouble. I don’t think she’s molting.

 

[aart]

I have seen a lot of white feathers in the nesting box this week, that are coming from the Silkie I’m having trouble. I don’t think she’s molting.

If she's over a year old and losing feather should very well could be molting.
New feathers growing in can be uncomfortable and molting birds often avoid others at roosting time because of it.