Hens staying in run at night - freezing cold, why?!

[littlecoopnextdoor]

My girls have never had issues going to the coop at night- they have an automatic door and the coop is attached to their run. They’re about two and a half years old. Just the last couple weeks I noticed in the morning they were in the run before the door opened, and realised they must have slept out there. Then I caught them out there several days in a row long after sunset when their door has closed, and I had to go physically pick them up and put them into the coop. It’s bizarre. They are always in the same place, on a roost, the one they like to hang out on in the day. Nothing has changed about the coop, there’s lot of bedding in there and they’ve always been comfy. It seems to be the head hen, a cuckoo marans, that is instigating - I notice this because when I come near the coop after sunset, the other one hears me and starts heading to the coop while head hen tries to call her back to roost in the run. I am perplexed - anyone have suggestions? I can’t be putting them to bed every night. It’s been -14c or more several times this week and they will just be safer and less in the wind if they’re in their house at night of course.

Note - the run *is* roofed and predator proof, except for the door to the run which currently has a gap that a weasel or similar could fit through, which is why I don’t want them there overnight. It’s on my list to add more door fortification.

 

[lagrange chicks]

I've had something similar, in my cases something has scared them and they don't feel safe in the coop. I had to coax them in with treats to get them to feel comfortable in there again.

 

[DobieLover]

Can you please post pictures of your setup?
Have you check the coop (and the hens) thoroughly for red poultry mites?

 

[aart]

they have an automatic door

Is the automatic door signaled by a clock timer or a sunlight monitor or....??
I'd look at that first.
Maybe door is closing before 'dark' enough for them to want to go to roost now that the days are longer.

 

[16 and me]

Good point. I have a few who are staying out much later than the others the last few weeks, but I go out and manually close them up for the night. If I hadn't done a headcount I Probably would not have noticed the 2 still out in the yard later than usual.

 

[Chicken Heel]

Can you please post pictures of your setup?
Have you check the coop (and the hens) thoroughly for red poultry mites?

Mites would be my guess. Hate those rascals.

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

Can you please post pictures of your setup?
Have you check the coop (and the hens) thoroughly for red poultry mites?

I will take some photos and share. I thought red mites were mostly in warmer climates? I have looked for other mites and lice but not seen any but I can certainly take a closer look. It did cross my mind that there must be a reason they’re avoiding their coop!

Is the automatic door signaled by a clock timer or a sunlight monitor or....??
I'd look at that first.
Maybe door is closing before 'dark' enough for them to want to go to roost now that the days are longer.

it’s set up by time and closes an hour after sunset, I change it often as the days get longer etc.

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

Good point. I have a few who are staying out much later than the others the last few weeks, but I go out and manually close them up for the night. If I hadn't done a headcount I Probably would not have noticed the 2 still out in the yard later than usual.

interesting. maybe something with the moon!?

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

I've had something similar, in my cases something has scared them and they don't feel safe in the coop. I had to coax them in with treats to get them to feel comfortable in there again.

they go in and roost when i coax them at night and they have some food in there for the winter so they go in and out of during the day. It’s so odd!

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

what is the best way to check for red mites when it’s this cold out? wet towel wiped across roost to check for blood spots? and check their vents? I’m in south-eastern Ontario, Canada.