Hen start roosting alone in bushes

[CackleBabies]

Hi there,

I have a mixed flock of 8 birds, with 2 cockerels. Two nights ago, as I closed up the coop I noticed one of my hens was missing (brown leghorn, 5 months old). They have always been so good about going into the coop around sunset/dusk (since May when I moved them to the coop from the brooder).

We searched our whole property (2 acres) and couldn't find her anywhere, and we had to stop because it got too dark. I was so upset, I thought something had got her. I was surprised the next morning to see her come running across the yard towards me when I went out to open the coop. I was so relieved! She rejoined the flock and everything was fine.

I determined to get out there before dusk to be sure they all made it inside, but again, Hazel had vanished. Again we searched the whole property and didn't find her, and again this morning she turned up to rejoin the flock.

Is this behavior normal? Why is she suddenly doing this? Can someone help me understand this behavior and figure out how to deal with it? It's starting to get chilly in the evenings, and we do have coyotes and foxes, so I'm sure she's at much higher risk of attack wherever she's roosting alone than in the coop with her flock.

 

[sourland]

The cockerels may be harassing the pullets in the coop, and she may be tired of their advances.

 

[aart]

Agrees with sourland.

8 pullets and 2 cockerels?
I assume that, all birds are same age (5 months)?

What are your plans for the cockerels?
If it's to get rid of them, now would be a good time.
I would suggest getting rid of at least 1 of them, 2 is 1 too many for 8 pullets.

I'll bet if you isolate the cockerels in another enlcosure(s) away from the pullets,
that girl will come back to roost in the coop with her sisters.