How Do Chickens Know Where "Home" Is?

[CasadasHens]

I don't know if it is the 'right' thing to do but I let mine make their own minds up about whether they want to roost or use nest boxes to sleep in. Sometimes it takes them a while to sort it out for themselves; if they have not been in that coop for long, they are probably still disorientated.

 

[ali d 1985]

I suppose it could be because its only their first time in the coop tonight? Thank u. X

 

[CasadasHens]

Yes, definitely. If you don't want them to use the nest boxes at night, you might need to block them off to encourage your flock to go on the perches. But I leave mine to sort themselves out!

 

[Manningjw]

I had to integrate a pullet white leghorn with my 7 month old Red Star who was living alone in her coop. The red star was chasing the white leghorn for the first few days. After they started to get along with one another during the day I blocked off her nest box at night so she had no choice but to roost with the Red Star. One night was all it took now she just goes to the roost like she should have from the start. I also didn't have to keep her locked in the enclosed run, she knew to return to the coop at night with the older hen without any intervention.