Girls stopped going in coop at night

[belladonna_n]

I have three four month old girls who have faithfully gone into their coop at night ever since they were introduced to it. Four nights ago I went to shut them in and they weren't there. I found them huddled up on top of a plastic table on our back patio/concrete slab. I carried them into the coop and did some research. I read about pests like lice and mites, so yesterday I cleaned out the coop and treated it with diatomaceous earth, I also dusted them with it. They didn't go in last night and again tonight. I'm not sure what else the problem could be unless they are just still wary of going in (if mites were even a problem in the first place) I know we do have a predator, I'm pretty sure it's a cat. A few weeks ago one of the original four accidentally didn't get shut in and the next morning I found her dead and strewn all over the yard. Maybe it comes at night and scares them? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I know we do have a predator, I'm pretty sure it's a cat.

A predator can cause them to change sleeping patterns. Consider trapping the cat and dropping it off at your local animal shelter. Even though a cat is usually not a threat to chickens that old, they could cause some stress.

I would also look through the feathers for lice/mites. Imo, DE is not an effective treatment for external parasites, so if those are the problem, they still have them.

Sometimes chickens are just weird too. Coming into lay, pullets can just act a bit strange. You may need to lock them in the coop/run for a few days to re-train them where they need to be.

 

[chickens really]

I'm not thinking it's a Cat..Sounds like a Raccoon or a Possum. If something is scaring them in the Coop at night they won't want to use it to Roost anymore.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm not thinking it's a Cat..Sounds like a Raccoon or a Possum. If something is scaring them in the Coop at night they won't want to use it to Roost anymore.

Could be! Whatever it is, I would try to trap it

 

[aart]

Whenever birds this age won't go into the coop at night my first thoughts are:
-How big is coop in feet by feet, dimensions and pics help immensely here.
They are getting bigger and may be crowded.
and
-How well ventilated is it?
If you live where it's hot, it could be too warm and stuffy inside the coop.

Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[belladonna_n]

I know cats aren't supposed to be a major threat, but there are a couple that roam the neighborhood and I've heard some horror stories about one of them terrorizing other cats. I did check them for bugs but didn't see anything, but then again I'm still new at this. The coop is big enough, I had five in there at one time and they all seemed happy. When I find them at night they are huddled together in a wide open area so I don't think space in the coop is an issue

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Since there is plenty of space, I would lock them in the coop for a couple of days to get them reaclimated into their previous routine. Just be sure the coop is well ventilated and predator proof!

 

[aart]

Just trying to help, because.....

I'm still new at this.

 

[TheLittleFarm18]

I know here it's getting dark earlier, maybe they are late to get into the coop and it's to dark in there, try a little light in there, like a flash light...I have a small battery latern I've used before

 

[micstrachan]

I think there is a specific reason they are suddenly not going into the coop. My best guess is fear, because it is a sudden change in all of their behavior. Can anything get inside? Anything at all? Mice, rats, snakes?