My hen keeps disappearing up a tree at night :S

[BreezyBre]

My Maran hen is nesting at night in the pepper tree over their coop . She is ready to lay anytime now so I assume it has to do with that perhaps ? My ladies have a comfy coop ,nesting boxes ,roosting poles etc How can I discourage this behavior as I worry about her safety at night . I woke up early this morning to let everyone out and she greeted me outside the coop to my very shocked surprise so I went out a little earlier tonight to lock everyone in and she was gone up the tree . I mean I can't see her up in the tree it's a very dense thick tree but I could see fresh poop on the roof so I know she's up there .
Whats chicken farmer to do ????

 

[Ljc01]

my younger birds decided a few weeks ago to roost in the large tree in the yard. I have a long stick that I poke them with until they come down.
I have now trained them to come down for treats. I just shake the cup with worms and down they come. Then they will go into the coop.
Never had the problem before, so maybe it is a breed trait. They are Blue Andalusian pullets.

 

[Perris]

I've had this issue with swedish flower hens and cream crested legbars. After losing them to predators I learned not to let chickens roost in trees, so I'd try whatever is suggested to get them down - they were lost when they came down in the morning BTW, when they were not very awake and their predators were ready and waiting for them.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x Ljc01 Train them with a plastic container with freeze dried mealworm in it, shake & toss a handful. They will relate the shaking noise to the MW and come running, very helpful when you need them to "come".

 

[aart]

When a bird chooses to roost somewhere other than the coop, it means they don't feel safe in the coop and you need to figure out why. It could have something to do with she is near laying...but the first things to look at are coop space and ventilation.

Knowing more about your flock...
-flock size(numbers, ages, genders),
-coop(size in feet by feet with pics),
may help solve the problem.

 

[BreezyBre]

I have a pretty big coop with more than enough space for everyone , ventilation is top notch since I live in Socal there is no actual walls ,wood frame & wiring really . I put in nesting boxes a few weeks ago that are filled with fresh hay , plenty of roosting bar space also with natural branches & such . They get out when the sun comes up every morning to a 2400 square foot free range are with plenty of natural stuff to munch on . Also I have dogs around that area as well so predators aren't an issue ,ever since I put a German Shepherd in my back yard a few years ago nothing comes around here lol not even the odd opossum my dogs constantly guard the fence line . I can take pics but I mean if I was chicken I'd be pretty be stoked about living here lol
It should also be known that said bird Purdy is also kinda the lead hen ,she is her own woman does what she wants ,even when my roo tries to tell her what to do now then she's ALL OH NO YOU DON'T and chases him around the yard lolol He doesn't bother with her much anymore lol

 

[BreezyBre]

2x Ljc01 Train them with a plastic container with freeze dried mealworm in it, shake & toss a handful. They will relate the shaking noise to the MW and come running, very helpful when you need them to "come".

I literally ran out of chicken snacks a day ago but she knows that sound so I will grab some more today and try that thanks

 

[aart]

I can take pics but I mean if I was chicken I'd be pretty be stoked about living here

Would love to see pics....of coop and this bossy pullet.
How old is she?

 

[Perris]

she sounds like the archetypal independent hen - my lot's roosting in a tree started with one like that, who the rest then copied. She also hid her eggs, and started that bad behaviour pattern amongst the flock too. Perhaps not coincidentally, she was first to fall prey to a predator...

 

[BreezyBre]

Well I mean it's nothing overly fancy at the moment just the basics although I've been planning to add some outer panels,a couple hanging plans so it has a country country look not just a caged shack as it sits at the moment lol But it's roomy I put a big natural branches for roosting in front of the boxes which no one likes so I will be putting one long wooden pole across for roosting . I have a couple saw horses they really like roosting on lol