Easter Egger unable to get back into coop

[HoneyBeeHomestead]

Thanks everyone for all your replies. After reading through them, my new theory is this... In the morning, when we let everyone out, we give them all a few treats, and they all come running out. I'm thinking she gets so excited in the morning that she is able to mindlessly jump over the ledge like everyone else. But then, when she calmly goes back at night and starts thinking about going back in, she can't remember how she jumped over it in the first place. As to why she hasn't learned even with me showing her? I'm not sure. Maybe she's just very dense, as some of you suggested. She does want to go in and roost, as she waits by the door. She walks, roosts, and jumps over it in the morning fine, so no obvious injuries or soreness.
I will try the cinderblock and see if she is smart enough to figure out how to jump up there first. I haven't yet because I'm not sure she'd make any attempt to jump up there. As it is now, she makes no attempt to get in besides standing there, and will spend the night outside if I don't put her in. But maybe a small change in the scenery by the door will help her get around the mental block.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Keep us posted. I think I am more interested in animal behavior than I am in sickness and injuries.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Do you say she jumps over it from this direction during the day? She will jump over to go IN during the day but not at dusk/ night? If this is the case please post good pics of both her eyes and tell us, what direction does the door face?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It's dark inside. I'm thinking the problem may be visual. She can't see what's on the other side of the barrier. Is it a 1,000 foot abyss? Are there monsters waiting to eat her? Lighting the floor on the inside may resolve her fears.

 

[HoneyBeeHomestead]

Do you say she jumps over it from this direction during the day? She will jump over to go IN during the day but not at dusk/ night? If this is the case please post good pics of both her eyes and tell us, what direction does the door face?

It's dark inside. I'm thinking the problem may be visual. She can't see what's on the other side of the barrier. Is it a 1,000 foot abyss? Are there monsters waiting to eat her? Lighting the floor on the inside may resolve her fears.

Hmmm... that's something I didn't think about! The door faces east, so it's nice and bright going outside in the morning. I have not seen her going inside during the day, but that doesn't mean she doesn't. I have other hens identical to her, so it's hard to tell for sure. The coop is in a barn and has no west side windows. It's roughly 130 feet long, and the backside lights aren't kept on. There are some lights in the coop, but they aren't great. I'll try to get some good pictures of her eyes tonight. I'm pretty sure she is an older hen, 3+ years old. I wonder if she might be going blind? I don't think she is scared to go in, because when I put her on top of the ledge, she very calmly jumps down and walks further into the coop.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

don't think she is scared to go in, because when I put her on top of the ledge, she very calmly jumps down and walks further into the coop.

Could still be visual. Once on top, she can see the floor, so proceeds without fear. But she can't see the floor from the ground outside. I could be wrong. I just try to think like a chicken, like Temple Grandin would do. Animals always have a reason for the silly things they do. It is up to us to try to figure out what that reason is. I hope this helps. If not lighting inside, maybe bricks, blocks or some kind of ramp that elevates her so she can see over will help her.

I'd still like to see close-up pics of her eyes to determine why this is a problem for her and not for her flock-mates.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

have other hens identical to her, so it's hard to tell for sure.

I was pretty sure the barn door faced east. Csn you put a leg band on her for identification, to see if she does go in during the day? As long as she is the only one marked it doesn't matter what color. A zip tie will work just not too tight and cut off the excess.