Roo doesn't go to the coop by himself anymore - is this normal?

[chickadee007]

I've only had chickens for a few months, so I know I have a lot to learn. This has been going on for about a month - Before I knew I had a roo (sultan-22 weeks-thought he was a pullet), he would go with his buddy Lucky (Brahma-22 weeks-pullet) everywhere (I brought them home together) - including the coop at 8pm sharp everynight. Once he started crowing, he stopped going in by himself. I play "Where's the chicken" every night now. Lucky and her two buddies (cream legbar and sussex- both 13 weeks) are in the coop at 8pm (they just started sleeping in the coop with Lucky and the Roo - the Roo was playing 'Where's the chicken' before these two were added to the coop) and the roo is in a different place each night. He's usually in the garage on top of the empty dog crate (he stayed in a dog crate in the garage when I brought him home at 10 weeks old) or somewhere outside hid - on a ladder, in the woods in a wood pile, perched on a flower pot. So far I have been able to find him each night, pick him up and put him in the coop. I go out with a flashlight and search his usual spots and then some. Is he doing this so he can roost higher than everyone else? Right now they are in a mobile coop where all 3 roosts are at the same level. Is this normal behavior? Do I need to change something to make him more likely to go in?

I've been going out a few minutes before 8 the last two nights and he has been going in the coop by himself.
He still sleeps most nights under the wing of Lucky

 

[Lacrystol]

I've only had chickens for a few months, so I know I have a lot to learn. This has been going on for about a month - Before I knew I had a roo (sultan-22 weeks-thought he was a pullet), he would go with his buddy Lucky (Brahma-22 weeks-pullet) everywhere (I brought them home together) - including the coop at 8pm sharp everynight. Once he started crowing, he stopped going in by himself. I play "Where's the chicken" every night now. Lucky and her two buddies (cream legbar and sussex- both 13 weeks) are in the coop at 8pm (they just started sleeping in the coop with Lucky and the Roo - the Roo was playing 'Where's the chicken' before these two were added to the coop) and the roo is in a different place each night. He's usually in the garage on top of the empty dog crate (he stayed in a dog crate in the garage when I brought him home at 10 weeks old) or somewhere outside hid - on a ladder, in the woods in a wood pile, perched on a flower pot. So far I have been able to find him each night, pick him up and put him in the coop. I go out with a flashlight and search his usual spots and then some. Is he doing this so he can roost higher than everyone else? Right now they are in a mobile coop where all 3 roosts are at the same level. Is this normal behavior? Do I need to change something to make him more likely to go in?

I've been going out a few minutes before 8 the last two nights and he has been going in the coop by himself.
He still sleeps most nights under the wing of Lucky

Interesting, I have several roosters that are doing the same thing, but mine are much younger and just don't know better. I have to carry them into the coop, Sounds like yours haven't found his secure spot yet. Once they find that secure spot they automatically go to it.

wonder why he does't like the coop though and what's strange is he's not following the others when they go to bed. Or being the leader and taken the others to bed. Does he have a girlfriend? you said buddy lucky but is that a hen or a rooster?

 

[chickadee007]

His buddy Lucky he has been raised with and is a hen. He would always sleep under her wing. She's a brahma, so a much bigger bird. The are almost always together so if he has a girlfriend it's her.
As for the coop, the roosting bars are all at the same level which is the same level as the nesting boxes (I only have one box open. The others are sealed off because he would always sleep in one if they were open). Whenever I find him outside he's always up higher. I'm guessing the coop doesn't have him roosting high enough for his liking. The last night he went in on his own. He hasn't crowed at all the past two days either. Eating & drinking normal, acting normal, just no crowing.

 

[newguineamom]

try opening the nesting boxes, if he slept n them before its likely he will start again and that will coax he back in every night, he is still young he will do what comes natural as he matures. Also try moving a roosting bar up higher and putting him on it at night after you find him. If he likes to be higher that will get him up there.

 

[aart]

You have 4 birds...2 at 22 weeks and 2 at 13 weeks...only one male?

How big is your coop(feet by feet)? ...Oh, you have the CC32 coop?..so 3x5'.
The tray and roosts look hard to navigate, might be part of the problem.
Do you have a run?

I'd confine the birds to the coop/run for a few days, get him back in the habit of roosting in the coop again.

 

[Lacrystol]

You have 4 birds...2 at 22 weeks and 2 at 13 weeks...only one male?

How big is your coop(feet by feet)? ...Oh, you have the CC32 coop?..so 3x5'.
The tray and roosts look hard to navigate, might be part of the problem.
Do you have a run?

I'd confine the birds to the coop/run for a few days, get him back in the habit of roosting in the coop again.

Good point, didn't think about confining him for a while..

 

[chickadee007]

I think I only have one male. One of the 13 week olds (sussex) is a straight run so I don't know yet.

I do have a run attached to the coop, but I have been letting them free-range all day. When I first got the coop/run I would confine them during the day and let them free-range only in the evening. He would go in bu himself then. I will try that again. Thank you for your advice-much appreciated!

 

[aart]

I think I only have one male. One of the 13 week olds (sussex) is a straight run so I don't know yet.

I do have a run attached to the coop, but I have been letting them free-range all day. When I first got the coop/run I would confine them during the day and let them free-range only in the evening. He would go in bu himself then. I will try that again. Thank you for your advice-much appreciated!

I'd leave them confined 24/7 for at least a couple days, leave him no choice but to roost in coop.
Then try letting out for an evening stroll, see if his habit changed.