Coldest night yet for pullets, why is one suddenly sleeping outside the coop?

[ldirk7]

Coldest night yet for my chickens (-3 deg Fahrenheit, of course colder to come this winter). They’ve slept on the same roosting bar EVERY single night since they’ve been in the coop. All of a sudden tonight, one of my girls is on her own in an odd spot at the coop door.

Should I force her back into the coop, shut the door? Just let it be? The rest are huddled together so im just concerned that she needs the warmth of the others.

 

[Disheygirl]

Move her inside and shut the door. My chickens play the rotate game randomly every so many months where if one isn’t in the exact order, then she’s all confused and not sure where she should roost even though there are feet and feet of open roost. Plus, the door needs to be closed for safety…she’ll figure it out inside.

 

[ldirk7]

Move her inside and shut the door. My chickens play the rotate game randomly every so many months where if one isn’t in the exact order, then she’s all confused and not sure where she should roost even though there are feet and feet of open roost. Plus, the door needs to be closed for safety…she’ll figure it out inside.

I’ll go ahead and do that tonight, thank you. I don’t shut the actual coop door because my run is fully enclosed.

 

[Disheygirl]

The average chicken is hardy in the cold (some breeds less so but they’re usually the slimmer or less fluffy type)- they puff their feathers out to retain body heat, sit on their feet, and really, without moisture or crazy winds, are just fine in the cold. A big comb and wattles makes for a better chance of frostbite but they can stick their heads under their wing and unless it’s really moist (yuck - gross word!), the comb is fine too. If you don’t close the door and there’s no wind, she could even just stay where she is. Chickens are such weirdos.

 

[Mrs. K]

Check your ventilation. Some birds are more susceptible to poor ventilation than others.

 

[Texas kid chick]

Coldest night yet for my chickens (-3 deg Fahrenheit, of course colder to come this winter). They’ve slept on the same roosting bar EVERY single night since they’ve been in the coop. All of a sudden tonight, one of my girls is on her own in an odd spot at the coop door.


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Should I force her back into the coop, shut the door? Just let it be? The rest are huddled together so im just concerned that she needs the warmth of the others.

That’s odd, but if you check again before going to bed, maybe she has joined them.
A question for you:
I see you have the raised feeder. I bought one (different than yours) for my hens & they won’t touch it. I think it frightens them. Is that the only feeder that you offer them? Never had a problem with them accepting it? What’s the name brand of your feeder?

 

[ldirk7]

That’s odd, but if you check again before going to bed, maybe she has joined them.
A question for you:
I see you have the raised feeder. I bought one (different than yours) for my hens & they won’t touch it. I think it frightens them. Is that the only feeder that you offer them? Never had a problem with them accepting it? What’s the name brand of your feeder?

Sorry- my feeder is homemade, not bought. I have never had an issue with them using it. this is the only feeder that I offer for food- I have 2 additional homemade PVC pipe feeders for grit and oyster shell.