Chickens roosting in trees??

[brentd228]

I made the mistake of leaving the coop door open one night last week, which I never do. Iv got one rir hen that went missing. I suspect something got her. All others are unharmed. Since then Iv got a few of my young pullets that will roost in a tree that is right next to the coop. All the others will coop up at dusk as normal. Iv lured them in the coop with a little treat just as they are ready to get in the tree. Iv done this a few nights in a row to make them stay in the coop. Tonight they got in the tree before I could get out to them. Any suggestions on stoping this habit? I'm thing that what ever got my rir scared them into wanting to stay in the tree.

 

[tec27]

You could try locking down your cooper earlier while the chickens are still active. Lure them in and make them roost in there. Enforce this early bedtime for awhile until they naturally start roosting in the coop instead the tree. Mine stopped roosting outside when a raccoon murdered half them. They run inside now.

 

[brentd228]

Thanks. Il give it a shot. Iv got 2 blue heelers that are usually good at protecting the flock at night by running off every thing that gets close to the coop. I had them away with me the night I left the coop open. :/

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

You might try putting a little light inside the coop too, even a flashlight, before they get into the tree, so they will go in there to establish the habit.

 

[ballygorteenbev]

Hi i got 2 new young sister hens one of which has integrated well with our other hens the other one is a bit scatty and roosts in a tree near the pen i watched last night her attempt to enter the roost but then lost her nerve and flew into the tree do you think she will eventually enter the house ?