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Hens defecting from their coop

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by CovenantCreek, Jan 30, 2009.

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  1. Jan 30, 2009 #1
    CovenantCreek

    CovenantCreek Chicks Rule!

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    Any ideas what inter-poultry dynamics would cause hens to leave their coop for another? I have a third hen from the Delaware coop that has decided to sleep in the RSL's coop. The Barred Rock and first Delaware moved out a couple months ago.
     
  2. Jan 30, 2009 #2
    Buck Creek Chickens

    Buck Creek Chickens Have Incubator, Will Hatch

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    Dose that coop have lice or mites? that would make them leave, or they just like it better in the other coop. do you have a chicken 'bully'?
     
  3. Jan 30, 2009 #3
    CovenantCreek

    CovenantCreek Chicks Rule!

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    No one seems to have parasite problems. During the day, the coops are interchangeable for the entire flock. I did notice that one hen was doing some bullying in the Delaware coop, but I haven't figured out if the one who moved out is the one who was getting picked on. Last night was the first night this one elected to bed down with the big girls and other defectors.
     
  4. Feb 2, 2009 #4
    The Chicken Lady

    The Chicken Lady Moderator Staff Member 10 Years

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    Are the coops exactly the same?
     
  5. Feb 2, 2009 #5
    CovenantCreek

    CovenantCreek Chicks Rule!

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    Franklin, TN
    Quote:No, the one they left is smaller, but not crowded with only 9-10 birds. It also didn't have a light to wake them up bright and early. The coop they moved into is only slightly larger and gets a 4:00 AM wake up call every day. It's also colder due to being in a larger structure (the coop is part of a 12'x30' shed.

    The truly odd part is that the newest hen to make the switch was one of the ones doing some bullying rather than one getting bullied. [​IMG]
     
  6. Feb 3, 2009 #6
    seminolewind

    seminolewind Flock Mistress Premium Member 10 Years

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    Chickens are odd. I have a roost on one side of the coop. Then I put a one bar roost on the other side. Now they all want to sleep on that.
    Then, I have the nests in there. I put a dog house in the run just in case I need it. A few started laying eggs in it for about 6 months. Now they lay in the coop again. I think it has alot to do with pecking order.
     

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