Do chickens return to the same coop each night?

[Joeschooks]

If you free range and have more than one coop does each chicken return to the same coop each night?Just a random chicken behavioural question I’ve been wondering about for some odd reason!!

 

[Nyla]

Mine like to explore and use all coops.

 

[red horse ranch]

I have numerous coops and the chickens always go back to their home coop. Usually to their favorite roost too!

 

[sourland]

In my experience they pick a 'home' coop and do not change unless something negative happens in that coop.

 

[Joeschooks]

Thanks! So I guess this depends on the chickens then...some groups do return and others like to try out other coops?

 

[red horse ranch]

Mine like to explore the other coops but at night they are always back where they belong.

 

[kwhites634]

If you free range and have more than one coop does each chicken return to the same coop each night?Just a random chicken behavioural question I’ve been wondering about for some odd reason!!

Most will, but it may be that they return to a particular place, as much as a particular coop. Chickens are creatures of habit. I housed some juvies in a tractor that I relocated several feet while they were free ranging. At dusk they returned to the spot that the tractor had occupied that morning, with the tractor in plain sight 12' away.

 

[Joeschooks]

Thank you for your comments guys, you have satisfied my curiosity Funny how these sorts of questions go round us chicken lovers heads (or maybe it’s just me that’s crazy!)