My chicken is sleeping on the ground

[CIuck]

Also not an expert but it could be it's the lowest in the "pecking order" lol not sure what they call it with chickens

She is the lowest in the pecking order. I cleaned the coop today so hopefully its better. She is 30+ weeks old. I will check the coop for mites right now. Its a small coop 4 by 4 with 4 chickens in it. I only put them to bed when they walk in on their own; so its pitch black when I put them away. Tell me if you guys need any more info

 

[ackie]

I assume she was previously roosting. If one of my birds fails to roost, it generally is a sign to me that something is wrong, so I would personally look her over thoroughly and watch her for signs of disease. If she roosts tonight like normal, maybe just a fluke or the coop being dirty - though I cant imagine why shed prefer a dirty floor over a probably less dirty roost.

 

[ackie]

Also not an expert but it could be it's the lowest in the "pecking order" lol not sure what they call it with chickens

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.

 

[CIuck]

I assume she was previously roosting. If one of my birds fails to roost, it generally is a sign to me that something is wrong, so I would personally look her over thoroughly and watch her for signs of disease. If she roosts tonight like normal, maybe just a fluke or the coop being dirty - though I cant imagine why shed prefer a dirty floor over a probably less dirty roost.

I agree. I checked for mite and didnt see any. Im thinking she either couldnt see the roost in the dark or the coop was dirty. Cross my finger that she roosts tonight

 

[ackie]

I agree. I checked for mite and didnt see any. Im thinking she either couldnt see the roost in the dark or the coop was dirty. Cross my finger that she roosts tonight

 

[ackie]

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?

 

[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

 

[ackie]

It isnt pitch black but its it really dark

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?

 

[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?

 

[ackie]

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?

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.