Hen Behaviors

[jreese595]

Fairly new to raising chickens. I have 10 pullets almost 25 weeks old (8- Production Reds & 2- Easter Eggers).

They all go into their run (15FT by 20ft x 8ft) where their roost is between 7:15 PM & 7:45 PM. I shut the door when they are all in to protect them from predators.

Starting two nights ago all but one of the Easter Eggers go to the run to roost for the night. The next day after the fist night I found her outside under some trees loving life. When I let the other hens out of the run she joined them like usual.

Last night (night #2) I went out to shut the run door and once again I could not find her. Hopefully she will show up today like yesterday.

Is this normal?

I worry about the predators getting to her. I have 10 acres wooded and lots of predators (Possums, Racoons, Coyotes, and lots of Hawks).

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[SilverBirds]

Do you have a picture of your setup?

Some hens are more adventurous and will try and sleep in trees instead of roosting in the coop like they're supposed to. How many roosts do you have in their run? Is it possible that she was bullied off the roost and that's why she chose to sleep outside? The other thing could be she is broody with a hidden nest somewhere outside. Have you searched the area for one?

 

[SueT]

The lowest in the pecking order are often reluctant to go in. I have seen this over and over. Improvising some roost dividers has really helped.

 

[jreese595]

I do not have pictures with me. When I get home I will take some pics.

I have searched the area where they like to hang out. I have found areas where they have scratched for dirt baths. She has her place in the pecking order (not at the top but not at the bottom either) but she was always on the top rung of the roost. It is a ladder type roost is about 6ft tall by about 5ft wide. It has 4 1x2 rungs spaced evenly.

 

[PoppasGrill]

You can try leaving them in the run for a few days, once you’re able to get her inside. That’s how we get ours used to a new coop, might work to reset her roosting pattern.