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?

 

[Mrs. K]

If you leave her, she will be a predator's food eventually, more than likely. Build a run around your coop, and leave them locked in the run/coop so that when it is time to roost, that the option is in the coop. Chickens hate change, but they are notional, mine have a very definite favorite nest, but every so often, one will pick a different spot, and many of the hens will proceed to follow her example. If you get rid of that nest then they will go back to the favorite.

I think that if you leave her, you have a strong possibility of more hens joining her.

Mrs k

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you can lure her and all he others into the coop a little before dark (maybe with food) and lock her in there until after bedtime, she may get in the habit of sleeping in there instead of going back to that tree. It may take a week or two of doing this and it may not work. Or if you have a run, lock them all in there for a week or to and see if she breaks her bad habit. I agree, it is possible some of the others may join her.

Some people have chickens that sleep in trees for years without problems, but it is also possible something will get her tonight. With predators you just never know.

Good luck.