My Hens a Little Nutty

[Susan Dye]

One of my girls, that I have had since she was a few days old, is suddenly having a hard time finding her way out of the hen house. She doesn't have a problem going in and out to lay her egg or just visit with another hen who's laying. But, first thing in the morning, all the other hens run out into the yard while she's frantically running back and forth in front of the door. She jumps on and off the roost, squawks her head off and cannot for the life of her find her way out! I have to walk down to the coop and open the front door for her to get out. I imagine, given enough time, she would find her way out. Perhaps one of her coop mates would show her the way instead of standing around outside the door taunting her. I let her out myself mainly b/c I hate to see any of my girls get stressed. Anyone else have a hen who gets lost in their own house?

 

[Melky]

Nope. If you put a treat on the ground outside the coop where she can see it, would you be able to train her to take self out. Do not assume she can’t find her way. She may be nervous about it but wants to go out. Some chickens pace when they need to lay etc.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-does-a-pacing-chicken-mean.3864/page-2

 

[Melky]

Other thoughts are they are just excited and may do this when you appear thinking they may get treats. I occasionally see one of mine pace and it usually means mine wants to go out but they do go out in their own time usually together. Goldie occasionally holds back a little especially if the girls have gone in and out. She will join her sisters on own. I bet if you wait she will go out on own.

 

[Susan Dye]

Other thoughts are they are just excited and may do this when you appear thinking they may get treats. I occasionally see one of mine pace and it usually means mine wants to go out but they do go out in their own time usually together. Goldie occasionally holds back a little especially if the girls have gone in and out. She will join her sisters on own. I bet if you wait she will go out on own.

Well, of course she found her own way out this morning. She's been going in and out of that hen house since she was old enough to go outdoors. I think it might have just been that she wasn't up and out before I came outside, and the others had come out ahead of her and she got over excited, which may have caused some form of chicken brain fart. This morning they were all outdoors when I got up. Their schedule seems to be off a bit. I've been up before them several days now, and I'm NOT that early a riser. Maybe they have gone to Eastern Standard time already. But, thanks for the input. You never know what you may encounter with these girls!

 

[Melky]

You are so funny!

 

[drumstick diva]

I sympathize with her, when I go mall shopping can never remember which door I went in so tend to go out wrong doors-

 

[SueT]

Some chickens seem smarter than others. I have some that figure out what's what immediately and never forget. Others not so much, to varying degrees. Our little pullet Heidi, when the gang goes out to free range, will follow them out their little gate, but if she is delayed, (maybe by a hen she can't pass) and the others all go around to the side, Heidi will try to follow them from the inside of the run, further and further from the gate, and cry pitifully that she can't get out. The rooster has to stop what he's doing, go all the way back around and in, and show her how to get out.

 

[Susan Dye]

I sympathize with her, when I go mall shopping can never remember which door I went in so tend to go out wrong doors-

 

[Susan Dye]

Some chickens seem smarter than others. I have some that figure out what's what immediately and never forget. Others not so much, to varying degrees. Our little pullet Heidi, when the gang goes out to free range, will follow them out their little gate, but if she is delayed, (maybe by a hen she can't pass) and the others all go around to the side, Heidi will try to follow them from the inside of the run, further and further from the gate, and cry pitifully that she can't get out. The rooster has to stop what he's doing, go all the way back around and in, and show her how to get out.
View attachment 1553851

I agree, though I think most are prone to have occasions of confusion if there is even the smallest variation in their routine. Wish I was able to have a have such a capable rooster as yours.

 

[BY Bob]

Can you imagine what that rooster thinks every time he has to go get her? Bless that poor girl.