Odd behavior

[MarySue]

Thank you. Darn chicken math! Originally we had 16.

 

[Double Yolked]

Could something have frightened them while in the coop? A raccoon got into my coop a few years ago and while no one that time was killed, one hen got bitten and all were terrified. It took me almost a month before they would willingly go back in the coop.

 

[MarySue]

No, nothing can get in to the coop. The run I don't trust but the coop is secure. I split everyone up tonight so we shall see. 16 in the coop, 6 in the rafters in the run, 4 in the house in dog crates, and 7 in Annie's pen.

 

[Lucyincharge]

I have a flock of 24 layers, 3 silkies, 1 rooster, 1 cockerel, and 4 pullets. I have had a poor summer of production. I have checked for parasites, and treated the buildings and roosts for them as well the birds themselves. I have had one of my girls get Salpingites and had her at the vet. They did a fecal float for parasites which was negative. But I treated the whole flock for those just to be on the safe side. The only real changes I have made were to allow some of my hens to raise chicks this season. Egg production still sucks and now of course is molt. In have a motley crew for sure. So I am hoping for a spring renewal in that arena. But now all of a sudden half the flock have decided they don't want to use the coop. Some of these ladies have been with me for 3 years so not a new pullet situation. Even my rooster who has never had a problem going into the coop has been staying out. I have checked for mites at night both on their bodies and in the wood with a flashlight. I went out and sprayed everything down with Permitherine again On Friday and sprayed them as well. Still I went out last night and half the flock were in the run. The two older hens were inside but my rooster was still outside the coop. I see NOTHING! I am at a total loss. Do I treat again in 10 days just to be sure or am I missing something? Is there some other reason they suddenly decide not to use the coop?

 

[Lucyincharge]

Have u checked for ghosts. Lol. I would take everything out..... bedding....nesting in the nest boxes and scrub and hose everything down and then whitewash it with hydrated lime. Put fresh bedding and nesting.... maybe add some herbs to the nest boxes and see if that changes their minds about going inside. My Buff Orpingtons did this once. All stayed out except Talladega, my biggest Buff. She went inside to investigate and came running out with a mouse in her mouth and making all sorts of racket. Got everyone to chase her around the run and then swallowed it whole. Then they all calmly walked up the ramp and went inside. I did scrub and hose it out and painted hydrated lime. Herbs in nest boxes too. Never had a mouse in there before and haven't had an issue since. They all free range during the day and she has caught mice before. I think they come in the 4 way hay and bedding

Hello...Possibly they developed the habit of Roosting outside..Now you have to herd them in each night to retrain them to roost in the Coop...Try that for a week..Close the pop door each night and let them out in the morning...

Also bad egg production could be that the feed is not high enough in protein..Layers do best on 18% protein with minimal scraps and less free range time...Also never run out of water...I feed grower all year and supply egg shell in a separate bowl..

 

[Lucyincharge]

Yes 18% protein is important. I give a lot of dried mealworms, also.

 

[MarySue]

Have u checked for ghosts. Lol. I would take everything out..... bedding....nesting in the nest boxes and scrub and hose everything down and then whitewash it with hydrated lime. Put fresh bedding and nesting.... maybe add some herbs to the nest boxes and see if that changes their minds about going inside. My Buff Orpingtons did this once. All stayed out except Talladega, my biggest Buff. She went inside to investigate and came running out with a mouse in her mouth and making all sorts of racket. Got everyone to chase her around the run and then swallowed it whole. Then they all calmly walked up the ramp and went inside. I did scrub and hose it out and painted hydrated lime. Herbs in nest boxes too. Never had a mouse in there before and haven't had an issue since. They all free range during the day and she has caught mice before. I think they come in the 4 way hay and bedding

Oh my goodness!! You have a cat in disguise !!! I have heard that they can eat them whole like that. I have been fortunate not to witness such things.
While I did not do that I did take a leaf blower in and blow the whole thing out, spray Permitherine and then replace the hay in the nests. I will repeat this weekend just to be sure.

 

[Lucyincharge]

Yep, Talladega and AlleyOop, my Big Barred Rock hen are better mousers than a couple of the barn cats.

 

[Sarasarasara222]

Ever since my oldest chicken has died (5yo) the other 3 chickens have been hiding under trees and much more loud and paranoid. Should I be worried and is there anything I can do?

 

[Sarasarasara222]

For your question, I’m pretty sure chickens prefer dark and closed areas to sleep so the windows of the coop may be bothering them, maybe close some windows and exits/entrances off.