chickens in a trees at night

[adorable]

I just bought 3 chickens about 2 nights ago. They roam my yard. But at night the jump up in the trees at night. I cant keep them down. I dont pen my girls up during the day. They go in the barn at night. I close the doors. Now i havent had any chickens in the trees before. Should i be concerned about this. What about winter time. WIll they go in the barn then.?

 

[dixiechick]

All of my dad's chickens roost in the trees. They feel safe up there. I'm in FL, so he allows thenm to stay in the trees in the winter.

 

[Lollipop]

Depending on breed and severity of the winter, they may stay in the trees. Chickens ain`t that smart. Also, predators locate roosting birds by their droppings. Take care.......Pop

 

[dixiechick]

another thought, though....maybe if you install some high roosts in the barn, they may make the switch.

 

[adorable]

I have that. There is 3 of them ...They are banties. They dont go in the barn at all. I just got them. I put them in the barn when i got them. They are used to free ranging. WHere i got them they were use to roost up in the rafters. But in my barn ,you cant see my rafters.

 

[Retirement chickens]

I'm curious about the breed? We have Japanese Bantams that would always prefer to roost in trees if not enclosed. They also fly quite well. Since we have lots of predators in our area, we just decided to keep them penned.

Also, when I was growing up in SW Georgia, I was surrouded by chicken raisers. My memory says that these chickens ALWAYS nested in pecan trees.

Art & Teri

 

[txchickie]

Mine (except my frizz & my silkies) all go to the trees at night. They're just cool like that

Oh and with winter weather, you gotta catch the dumb little things and get them in the coop. Lock them in there for a few days. I have lots of fun when snow is headed this way trying to catch mine to keep them from going to the cedar trees for "shelter"

 

[kuntrygirl]

some of my banty sleep in trees as well. they dont like the high roosts in their coop.

 

[cmom]

Have you tried shutting them up in the barn for a few days?

 

[dftkarin]

I have 4 hens that have at times tried roosting in the trees - but I've always gotten them down and shut them in the coop (for their own protection). Now I have two young pullets who live mostly in a tractor in the back yard because the hens still peck them if they get too close - but if I neglect to lock them into the tractor at night (they all free range together during the day), these two youngsters roost way up high in the trees and I can't get them down! Last night there was a thinder/lightening storm around 4am and I was out there trying to lure them down with yogurt and other treats, then I tried shaking the trees, and finally I started poking broom handles at them - but they stood firm and weathered the storm okay - silly birds.