Hens Stopped Going in Coop Suddenly

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Interesting. I have a similar problem. My chickens had been very well trained to get into their coop when the sun went down and then their automatic door would close. Worked very well until summer solstice when sundown started happening earlier each night.

Now, I find them out on the run's roost bar (right side) each evening. The girls have totally lost their earlier behavior to get into the coop at night around sundown. They seem content on that roost, but the coop is better protected, so I want them in there. Given the description above, I was thinking maybe a mite/lice problem, but they have no problem going in this same coop during the day to lay eggs or sometimes just to hang out.

I'll still check for lice/mites tomorrow. Thoughts?

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Those coops are small and stuffy and the run feels like a part of the coop to chickens so many will take to roosting outside. Chickens do not like being warm.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree with old hen! These little rabbit hutch type 'coops' are like little closets, nothing like a normal chicken roosting area. Plan on increasing the safety of your entire structure, and treat the whole thing as their coop. Or build something else. Mary

 

[Dayrel]

Plan on increasing the safety of your entire structure, and treat the whole thing as their coop. Or build something else. Mary

I'm open to suggestions. I use hardware cloth that is very well attached around the entire chicken tractor. During the day, my primary concern is hawks and at night, my primary concern is raccoons/possums. Since I'm concerned about the latter digging at night, I added the auto-door. The sleeping arrangement worked amazingly well for four months and then suddenly stopped.

As far as I can am aware, this is as safe as any chicken tractor can be. I refuse to do unsupervised free ranging as I only have three chickens and want to protect them. I had a hawk try to get into their run just two days ago, so the setup has already proven its value. Chicken tractors provide a good compromise to allow them access to fresh pasture while providing solid protection. What do you suggest I do to increase the safety of the entire structure?

PS- I checked for mites/lice both in the coop and on the chickens and found no evidence, but I went ahead and did a full clean out of the coop area anyway.

 

[Lintltj5]

So I went to the feed supply store after getting back from work this evening. I figured i would treat the coop, put new bedding in, and treat the chickens for mites/lice.
When I returned home, Maggie, Angela, and Pearl were all in the coop roosting. Daisy was outside roosting on the run fence. I was glad to see that at least 3 returned to the coop, but Angela was still not on the roosting bar.
So I treated all the birds and the coop and also put down new bedding. Hopefully this will work.
Actually, Daisy has been caught many times roosting on the deck. Im not sure what her issue is at this point. Sometimes she follows the others, sometimes she doesnt. It strange and I need to break her of the habit.

 

[Folly's place]

Glad things are looking up! Mary