I have 4 hens. They have a coop which is attached to an enclosed run. In the past they would always go into the coop at dusk and hop up onto the roost and sleep there. I used to close the pop door at night and in the morning let them out into the run. For the past month or so I've not closed the pop door to the coop, but they always would go into the coop to sleep. Now, for the past 5 nights or so they seem to be sleeping out in the run on a branch that is suspended in their run. I'm wondering if I should pick them up and put them in the coop...but figure there must be some reason they want to sleep outside, so I just let them be. Is this something that I should be concerned about? thanks
Do you have evidence of mice in your coop? My chickens started boycotting the coop when I had a rodent problem. Just a thought.....
You didn't say how old they are, but I wonder if they are kind of youn pullets who have not considered the dangers of sleeping outside. Mine went through a time when I had to hunt a few down at night. One thought that roosting on the 5 foot chain link fence was a fine idea. But we have all sorts of nocturnal predators, so I made them all go inside. I would shut the door too, or they might as well sleep outside.
Check this suggestion thoroughly. Other critters coming could also be problem. Also consider light in coop going down before birds enter to roost. If too dark, then birds can not see well enough to enter.
