Roosting in trees-again

[VespaGirl]

Well they have been locked in their coop since Thursday. Not terribly happy but I am thinking about letting them out tomorrow. This week I should be home before dark to try to lure them back in if they decide to go back in the trees. I am hoping five days in the coop should teach them.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Maybe hang something scary in the tree. An old sheet or a tarp or something that might discourage them from trying to roost there.

 

[Africanchild]

Mine like to roost up in a holly tree for the night. It is natural that they want to be as high off the ground as possible for safety. I don't think it means there is anything wrong with your coop (especially if you've checked). What I did was knock them out of the tree and herd them into the coop. There were a few times they were so high up I couldn't reach them to knock them down even with a ladder so I left them up their for the night. It was raining too but they managed it just fine. Mine are free rangers so to break the pattern I started going out there just before dark and herd them into the coop. I did this for a few nights in a row and its been smooth sailing ever since.

 

[VespaGirl]

I knocked them out of the tree numerous times. Now they just roost higher where I can't get them. I have given up. It is only my leghorns. I had five and lost one last week and am down to four. I was thinking that now that is getting cold they would go in the coop but no they stay there no matter what.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I knocked them out of the tree numerous times. Now they just roost higher where I can't get them. I have given up. It is only my leghorns. I had five and lost one last week and am down to four. I was thinking that now that is getting cold they would go in the coop but no they stay there no matter what.

Clip one wing to get them off balance (just the flight feathers)?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-clip-trim-the-wings-of-your-chicken-to-prevent-flight

 

[VespaGirl]

Thanks I will try that!

 

[Sylvia Moon]

I am going to try the oatmeal trick before I break my neck getting miss Lucy out of the hemlock. The other 5 new girls roost in the rhododendrons and are fairly easy to grab and send to bed, but the 6th goes very high, and it is a comedy now to get her, but I fear a tragedy some night.

Eve

 

[bascom]

I assume you tried giving their flight feathers a trim. Just don't cut right up to the cuticle as that can hurt them.