Not going in the coop at night

[wanda chick]

I have a Silver Spangled Spitzhaben that is about 12 weeks old who used to go into the coop at night with 3 Golden Sex Links of the same age. She's the smallest so the others always sit on top of her. Now she refuses to go into the coop and sleeps on top of the coop. It's not too cold right now at night, around 55 degrees so she seems okay, but I'm worried about later in the year if she's still doing the same thing. She seems to get along fine with the other chickens during the day. Any solution?

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! It could be that with then sitting in her this could be putting her off going in. But I would persevere with putting her back in the coop on a night now to try and stop this habit. I would put her back in away from the others so she has her own space when the other girls are settled down for the night. Hopefully when she realises they are not going to sit on her because they are settled she should get back into the routine of going back in. She could also just be looking for the highest spot to roost.

Good luck and enjoy BYC

 

[drumstick diva]

I would keep putting her in the coop at night, outdoors she is prey to any of the wandering critters. , owls, raccoons etc. Birds are reluctant to move in the dark, so she is a sitting duck(chicken).

Maybe you could fashion her own roost big, enough for her but probably uncomfortable to any other of the hens. Make it a bit higher than their's to boost her confidence about fitting in with larger birds.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. Yorkshire coop and drumstick diva have given you some good advice. Keep putting her in the coop until she goes into it on her own in the evening. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your Silver Spangled Spitzhauben.

 

[N F C]

Welcome to BYC!

You've already been given some great advice, so I'll just say hi, nice to have you here!

 

[wanda chick]

Thank you. I'll try that. Any instructions on how to pick up without getting scratched? Last time I picked her up she got scared and scratched my hands badly. Long gloves? What kind are best?

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Leather work gloves work well, like you get at the farm store. If you can handle her at night / in the dark she may be quieter.