Out past their bedtime

[tcoope]

Our 6 hens are 6+ months old. They have always gone inside their coop to roost at dark. Last night I went out to close the coop door and one of my dogs suddenly goes into point stance and gives a low bark. I look around in the dark and see that at least a couple of the girls are on the roost bar out in their run. I get a flashlight and sure enough, all six sitting happy on the outside roost bar. I checked the run and inside the coop and couldnt find anything out of order. They seemed content so I reopened the coop door and left it open. I just got back in from the exact same scenario tonight. The only thing that has changed recently was that about 3 weeks ago i installed some LED lighting to offset the deminishing daylight. They are going in and out during the day and egg laying hasn't changed. Any ideas what these young ladies are up too? Any reason I should herd them into their coop? :/

 

[Saintboondocks]

One of my hens is doing something similar. I'd like to get the same advice.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Pick them up and put them in the coop. You may do better adding light in the early morning, and letting it change to darkness naturally at night so it doesn't mess with their roosting behavior. I would not leave the coop door open through the night. No matter how secure you think your coop/run is, most predators can and will find a way in and the results are devastating.

 

[tcoope]

Thanks Happy. Went to put them in the coop tonight...'twas not a popular idea. They fought going in (eye roll). They shifted their weight backward on my hand which made their butts stick up in the air - so now I'm laughing which is making it even harder, but I got them all in. Then I have to go out of my run to lower the door which is on a pulley system. I had one escapee that I had too escort back in. I think I'm going to have to stick with the artificial light in the evenings though as I don't want them to wake my neighbors. They can be so loud before I've let them out to the yard. I think I might tinker a bit with which light stays on longer as the coop and the run are on different timers. Thanks for the reminder about the prediters.

 

[Happy Chooks]

You're welcome. From someone that had to learn the hard way that a raccoon can pull a fully grown chicken through a 1 inch by 2 inch opening. Not something I ever hope to have happen again and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

 

[chfite]

Removing the roosting bar in the run might help.

Chris

 

[coffeenutdesign]

Removing the roosting bar in the run might help.

Chris

This would be my suggestion, as well.