Hens roosting outside coop???

[Mikus]

Hey there, my 2 hens have stopped roosting in their coop at night and seem to want to be closer to the back door of the house, they roost on the boiler at back door or on a chair close by! The weather is mild so I'm not worried about them being cold but just don't understand why they're doing it??? They're still laying eggs in the coop during the day? I'm no professional so would really appreciate some advice?

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

You will have to lock them up in the coop and run for a few days before a predator finds them. It usually takes three days to a week to get them retrained. If you let them out too early, you'll have to start all over again.

 

[Mikus]

You will have to lock them up in the coop and run for a few days before a predator finds them. It usually takes three days to a week to get them retrained. If you let them out too early, you'll have to start all over again.

Thank you for the advice ...would you have any idea why they would do that?

 

[Mikus]

Thank you for the advice ...would you have any idea why they would do that?

Ps....they're roosting in our relatively secure back yard and our dogs are also there, plus lights so I'm hoping Mr Fox doesn't make an appearance, if he does he'd be VERY brave

 

[Sara Ranch]

I have one rooster that insists on sleeping on my back deck. *sigh* I love him dearly - he's a great lap rooster. It's where he wants to be, so I make it as safe as possible & working to make it safe, without it being a cage. It's not predator proof, but at least he's happy. He's been there for a few weeks? I've lost track.

On really stormy nights, I bring him into the house. I am hoping to get him to sleep in the Barn come cooler weather.

Either make it as safe as you can or return them to the coop.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Thank you for the advice ...would you have any idea why they would do that?

Sometimes chickens just take a notion to move. They can be pretty stubborn about it, too.

 

[Mikus]

I have one rooster that insists on sleeping on my back deck. *sigh* I love him dearly - he's a great lap rooster. It's where he wants to be, so I make it as safe as possible & working to make it safe, without it being a cage. It's not predator proof, but at least he's happy. He's been there for a few weeks? I've lost track.

On really stormy nights, I bring him into the house. I am hoping to get him to sleep in the Barn come cooler weather.

Either make it as safe as you can or return them to the coop.

Thank you