Free roam chickens stay outside all winter

[Dominiques87]

Question guys,I built an elevated chicken coop for my old English game. They used it all summer, and gradually started not using it whatsoever during the winter. They roost in pine trees nearby. It seems pretty backwards to me. And I've tried putting a heat lamp out there as well and that didn't help. I'm open to suggestions all. Thank you!

 

[SueT]

They don't need a heat lamp. Roosting in trees is a good way to fall prey to night time predators, many of which would be delighted to find such an easy meal.

 

[sorce]

Could be rodents are moving into the coop with the cold weather?

Not enough ventilation?

Sorce

 

[2 many chickens]

I have six chickens that free range, they are my wild chickens you can say. They refuse to go in their coop with the others, they would rather roost in my tree. It has no leaves or anything.. they are fine.

 

[Mrs. K]

Chickens know more about being chickens than any of us. There is a good chance you will loose some. Nothing is without risks, and I have lost chickens in my coop and run.

I would not worry about it with game birds, I think they are closer to wild genetically? More domesticated birds, you might loose more of them.

If you do start loosing birds, you might need to change things up, but not until then.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

Question guys,I built an elevated chicken coop for my old English game. They used it all summer, and gradually started not using it whatsoever during the winter. They roost in pine trees nearby. It seems pretty backwards to me. And I've tried putting a heat lamp out there as well and that didn't help. I'm open to suggestions all. Thank you!

@Dominiques87 Is that your coop in your avatar?
Please post current pics, inside and out...and dimensions too.
How many birds?

Also.....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Pinckney]

I had a lone chicken a few years back as a result of 2 massacres. This hen decided to take her chances living in some pine trees. I think I had electric netting up around the trees. She survived the coldest winter in MI and it got down to -40F with wind chill, and there was quite a bit of snow too. She was an American breed I believe, def not a Mediterranean. No frost bite. If they chose to live in the pines you could be fine but electrified Fencing to keep out ground predators. If you have large owls that could be an issue. Now that I think about it I also had a group of roosters that wintered outside too but I did give them a 3 sided structure I rigged up out of pallets that they used during the daytime. Not as cold that year but I’m sure there was at least one spell of sub-zero temps. Everyone survived and currently roost in a barn.

Based on my experience, as long as they are suited to your area let them be but add electrified Fencing and access to the coop you mentioned. A heated water supply if temps go below freezing in the daytime.