Rebel Hen???

[Wimigobble]

I am new to chickens, in fact, new to the country. I got six chicks born around March 16 from Tractor Supply. They were moved outdoors to their coup at about 1 months and have been doing great. For the most part they stay out free grazing most of the day and just before sunset they all are already, on their own, back in the coop.

2 nights ago all but one were in the coop at dusk. After searching forever I found the rebel in a tree about 8 foot off the ground, about 40 feet from the coop. I retrieved her and put her back in the coop and locked the door.
I let them out again the next day, and sure enough, same thing that night. All went back into the coop except this rebel, who seemed to be just fine sleeping in the tree.

I live on 6 acres in the country, so predators are definitely out at night. Anyone else ever had this problem? Should I just leave the rebel outside at night?

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

BYC has a very useful learning center

I have had Rebel's like that before and it is safer for them to be locked up at night .....


My swamp coolers are covered in chickens at dusk and my front porch and very few will go to the coop in the evening due to my Rebel's leading the way .....





It's a monkey see monkey do thing .....




And the chickens do like to stick together when sleeping ....




So if you do not want all you chickens sleeping in the trees you need to control the Rebel you have or she will rouse the rest of the Rebel's to do the same ....





Good luck with your flock .....









gander007

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC!!

Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Yes, I had two chickens who wouldn't go in at night. One got killed by a predator so that's always a concern. My grandma always had wild chickens who slept in the trees and such on her farm. She didn't lose many as they roosted so high up. If your "rebel" is high up at night, I wouldn't worry that much.

 

[Wimigobble]

Thanks. And by the way, I have 3 Tetra Tints and 3 Golden Comets. The rebel was supposed to be a Tetra Tint, and she is mostly white, but always looks dirty. I'm wondering if the other chickens don't like her smell? LOl Just kidding.
But seriously, the branch she has been staying on is about 8-10 feet off the ground, just over a creek that runs through my property. I worry about raccoons or foxes climbing up and getting her, but at the same time, I don't want to have to retrieve her every night. I don't know why this just started out of nowhere.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Thanks. And by the way, I have 3 Tetra Tints and 3 Golden Comets. The rebel was supposed to be a Tetra Tint, and she is mostly white, but always looks dirty. I'm wondering if the other chickens don't like her smell? LOl Just kidding.
But seriously, the branch she has been staying on is about 8-10 feet off the ground, just over a creek that runs through my property. I worry about raccoons or foxes climbing up and getting her, but at the same time, I don't want to have to retrieve her every night. I don't know why this just started out of nowhere.

Yeah, then she should be fine.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! If you free range and have nice trees around, seems like somebody is always deciding they'd rather sleep in a tree. You could try locking them up in the coop again for a week or so, but good chance she will be back up in the tree again when you let them out. You might also take a look at the coop and see if something is going on there that makes her not want to come in... how is the coop size, plenty of room in the coop and plenty of roosts to pick from? Is she the lowest chicken on the pecking order and getting chased out or is she afraid to go in until the others are roosting at which point it is so dark she is taking to the tree rather then going in a dark coop etc?

 

[Wimigobble]

Thanks for the advice. I think I know what it might be. I have tons of room in the coop, but they all want to roost on a 2 square foot section of chainlink about 6 feet off the ground. The problem is getting 6 of them up there at night is really squeezing it. I think I will try to adjust things to make more room for them all.

Thanks again.!

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

I don't free range my birds so I am not much help here. LOL But you might consider a run to keep this bird in for a while. Maybe a month to re learn her to stay in the coop at night.

Good luck with this tree sleeping hen and welcome to our flock!

 

[drumstick diva]

I'd be very worried about her getting picked off at night - I probably would sleep out there just to protect her.