Hens roosting in trees

[Gaufron]

Hi
I am looking for advice. I have brought, a month ago 3 point of lay hens. I am an experienced hen keeper. My hens are free range with 5 acres of farm grazing land. When I have new hens I keep them in a fenced run until they know where to roost and then gradually introduce them to the big outdoors, and the other members of the flock. Their hutches are in a small fenced copse which, Have so far, in the last 10yrs been fox proof. The new girls insist on roosting in the copse trees! too high for me to catch and shut away for the night. My worry of course is foxes but also the weather, they get soaking wet in the rain but also winter is coming and freezing conditions. Although I'm in the UK and temperatures are not normally extreme. Shall I go back to square one and try to train them where to roost or just leave them to it?

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. I think you should go back to square one and re-train them where to roost. For many reasons they will be safer at night in their coop and on a roost- closed in for the night.

 

[Gaufron]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. I think you should go back to square one and re-train them where to roost. For many reasons they will be safer at night in their coop and on a roost- closed in for the night.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
@Shadrach has a bit of experience with this issue.

 

[Gaufron]

I think you are right but first I have to catch them!! also the older hens want to roost in 'their' hutch and I can't shut them out. I have two hutches but they are creatures of habit as we know

 

[BullChick]

 

[BullChick]

Re-train them them if you can, but don’t worry if you can’t. In the winter, they will return to their coops when they are cold.

 

[Gaufron]

Re-train them them if you can, but don’t worry if you can’t. In the winter, they will return to their coops when they are cold.

 

[Gaufron]

That is what I am hoping

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

I would figure out how to keep them out of the trees. Perhaps clip their wings? I had two chickens who slept in an apple tree, when I first had chickens. Even in the rain and snow, they preferred the tree to their coop. Then one morning a golden eagle plucked one right off the tree. The other one never went up there again, and I would never allow it again.