New to chickens and BYC

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dcosr

dcosr

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6 Years
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
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Location
Marshfield, MA
Have 9 chickens since last April and starting the winter season in Massachusetts.
Currently 18 degrees. Our Orpington has decided to roost outside by herself at night instead of going into the coop with the other chickens. Should I be concerned or is this normal behavior?
It has been in the 20's for the last week and she doesn't seem to be affected by the cold. Two nights ago she stayed out during the snow and was covered with icy feathers in the morning.
She roosted inside until it started to get cold. Any thoughts?
 
I had an Ameraucana that used to want to sleep on the roof of the coop every night. It took a good month of getting her down and putting her inside for her to finally get the point. Orpingtons are pretty cold hardy, but I wouldn't risk the chance of her getting sick from being outside all night, especially in the snow. I would be more concerned with something getting her though. Your chances of losing a bird drastically increase at night, if you don't have a predator-proof coop.
 
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I have had some hens that don't mind the cold as much as others. They'll go in when they want to, and all I can say is that you can't force them to stay in, and they're very winter hardy. As long as they have a warm place to retreat to when they get too cold, they'll do their own chicken-things.
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Welcome to BYC! I would keep her confined to the coop/run for a week or so, then she will learn where she's supposed to sleep. Good luck to you.
 
She is confined to the enclosed pen and the coop door is open if she decides to go inside. She should be safe from predators, unless a predator makes his way through the fence. Then all the chicken are at risk.
Guess I'll just keep an eye on her.
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Is there plenty of roost space inside the coop, could somebody else be picking on the orp making her reluctant to come inside in the evening?
 

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