chickens won't roost in coop since 1 died?

[Jorjamarin]

If anyone can help me figure out what is going on I would appreciate it. We had 4 hens that have been a nice little family for a few months now, out of nowhere 1 of them died suddenly a few days ago. We still are not sure what got her but she hadn't laid in a few days but the night before she was fine, dead the next afternoon. Anyway, since her death the other 3 will not roost in the coop. They actually prefer to lay on the ground outside ann when we try to chase them in they resist. I did clean the coop and entire area with DE for the first time too (suspected mites for awhile and her death motivated me to finally do this) so maybe it has more to do with that than the loss of their sister?

 

[sumi]

Did she die in the coop? One of my hens died in a nest box, also from an unknown cause and since then the rest of the hens would not go into that box. No matter what. They were obviously upset by seeing the dead hen in there. I remember a year ago I lost a small chicken and I was sitting holding her when one of the hens that "mothered" her walked in on me. I looked up and she was staring at the little one with a look of horror on her face. They know... Be patient and be gentle with your remaining hens. Pick them up when it gets dark and carry them into the coop. Talk to them and reassure them. Hopefully in time they'll forget.

 

[Jorjamarin]

thanks, Last night it rained and that seemed to drive them inside, maybe after going back once they will be better. They do still look around like they know someone is missing, so do we!