Chickens Sleeping Outside at Night

[Banty Fan]

Hello all, my hens have resorted to sleeping outside on their perch instead of inside their coop. I am kind of worried, as I live in a more rural area, and coyotes are plentiful. I have seen them walk along our fence, and as a chicken owner, that's pretty scary, knowing that predators are nearby. I have tried placing them one by one back inside their coop, but they walk right back out! Not to mention, even when it rains they stay outside....and get drenched! Could they get sick? I keep their coop clean with fresh pine shavings, and I keep all spiders out! Is this normal behavior?

I live in temperate climate in SF Bay Area. My hens, both full size and bantams loved to roost and sleep high (13') in a tree in their enclosure, rain or shine. I have racoons and occasionally a fox, but no coyotes. Fortunately, they were always safe and healthy. 2 hawks got into the enclosure once in the daytime and killed a couple. The rest died of old age.

 

[Vicker]

If you leave the door open at night, they are no safer inside the coop than outside. I've had possums, owls, coyotes and bobcats go inside at night. Whether they free range or stay in a run, I always close them inside at night.

 

[Lori S]

Hello all, my hens have resorted to sleeping outside on their perch instead of inside their coop. I am kind of worried, as I live in a more rural area, and coyotes are plentiful. I have seen them walk along our fence, and as a chicken owner, that's pretty scary, knowing that predators are nearby. I have tried placing them one by one back inside their coop, but they walk right back out! Not to mention, even when it rains they stay outside....and get drenched! Could they get sick? I keep their coop clean with fresh pine shavings, and I keep all spiders out! Is this normal behavior?

Hello all, my hens have resorted to sleeping outside on their perch instead of inside their coop. I am kind of worried, as I live in a more rural area, and coyotes are plentiful. I have seen them walk along our fence, and as a chicken owner, that's pretty scary, knowing that predators are nearby. I have tried placing them one by one back inside their coop, but they walk right back out! Not to mention, even when it rains they stay outside....and get drenched! Could they get sick? I keep their coop clean with fresh pine shavings, and I keep all spiders out! Is this normal behavior?

My girls started that last summer. Nothing had changed as far as I can tell. I thought maybe it was the heat. They went inside during really cold weather. But rain (or snow) or no, they are out. I guess there IS something madder than a wet hen. But mine are in an enclosed run, so they are safe. And after almost a year there is no sign of trouble. But I'm puzzed too.

 

[danielle2003]

What are the measurements for it? And how many hens do you have? I agree it needs more ventilation but sometimes they won’t roost inside if there isn’t enough space.

I have 4 hens. I'll get the measurements.

 

[Borders3]

Get the omlet light that attaches to your coop door it will come on at dusk and go off whatever you set the timer for or about 10 mins after the door shuts. I have solar fairy lights strung in the coop seems to do the trick.

 

[danielle2003]

It gets about 50-65 degrees at night here. There is a small screened window and their coop door is open. Is that enough ventilation?

 

[danielle2003]

It would depend a bit on the window location relative to the usual wind direction. For instance in my back yard the wind tends to blow in from the north so I have my coop turned so the air currents are maximized. Is the window opposing the coop door? If not there may not be an adequate amount of air circulation. There's some really good articles in the learning center here on BYC with great photos. I know it can be difficult to imagine the logistics from text.
I wouldn't rule out other things as well, have you been using the same bedding on the coop, did you use a cleaner with a scent recently? Chickens don't like change lol!

I've been using pine shavings for the past 2 years. The cleaner I use has no scent.

 

[danielle2003]

Photos of your set up would help with assessing.

As a general rule you want 1 sq ft of ventilation per standard hen. In a hot climate such as yours, adding even more would be ideal.

I'll post pictures.....

 

[danielle2003]

Any chance there are mice bothering them at night?

I don't think so. I haven't seen any signs of mice in the coop......but, a few days ago, one of my chickens caught a mouse and ate it. I haven't seen any since though.

 

[Lori S]

Hello all, my hens have resorted to sleeping outside on their perch instead of inside their coop. I am kind of worried, as I live in a more rural area, and coyotes are plentiful. I have seen them walk along our fence, and as a chicken owner, that's pretty scary, knowing that predators are nearby. I have tried placing them one by one back inside their coop, but they walk right back out! Not to mention, even when it rains they stay outside....and get drenched! Could they get sick? I keep their coop clean with fresh pine shavings, and I keep all spiders out! Is this normal behavior?