My chicken is sleeping on the ground

[CIuck]

Is it dark inside the coop while it's still light outside? Like at dusk when she would naturally head inside, is it already pitch black inside to where she cant see the roost?

It isnt pitch black but its it really dark

 

[CIuck]

Maybe that is part of the problem? If its getting darker earlier and faster, she hasn't adjusted to getting in while she can still see?

It does get dark very early in CT now. That could very well be the case. Is there any way I could fix that problem without disturbing her sleep?

 

[CIuck]

is there a way to let more natural light into the coop? or maybe have a light in the coop that shuts off after dark? just enough light inside so she can find the roost.

There is a small window in the coop. Maybe I can put christmas lights outside the coop and turn them off when I put the chickens away for the night?

 

[rosemarythyme]

There is a small window in the coop. Maybe I can put christmas lights outside the coop and turn them off when I put the chickens away for the night?

Might need a bigger window, or a window facing in a different direction. Or an artificial light at dusk can also do the same thing. If birds can't see inside the coop, they can't navigate.

 

[Onechicktwochickthree]

The term "pecking order" literally originated from chickens. We use it colloquially now, but it came from studying chickens and how they worked out dominance and hierarchy including using pecking to get or defend their spot.

Thanks!