roosting outside - what's that about??!

[Sandrachx]

10 of my chickens (2 roosters-8 birls) have started roosting outside and i'm not sure why. they've been in a house all their lives, but since sunday when i cleaned their poop trays and sprinkled DE on their roosting poles, they have gone outside. nine others are still inside, but not over the poop trays. on monday night i carried each one back inside and put them on a pole. tonight they're out there again. . . we have them in a completely fenced in run, but i can't figure out what's changed. could it be nice weather? anyone else ever have that issue? really would appreciate any insight from forum folk.

 

[catdaddy66]

So they USED to roost in a shelter, but now prefer outside? That IS strange. I know that they need 3-4 weeks in a NEW home/coop before they will automatically return there to roost. It takes that long for them to realize where they have food/H2O/warmth/etc. But these guys have already learned that lesson, correct? I could not say why it was after the cleaning that the behavior began but I know some member will have a pinch of knowledge to enlighten us!!

 

[gritsar]

No matter how well built a run, it's never as safe as a well built coop.
If they were my birds, I would remove whatever it is that they are roosting on outside. If they still don't go back to roosting in the coop, lock them in for a few days. Sometimes you have to practice tough love with chickens, but it's for their own good. They don't realize they are more vulnerable to predators outside.
By the way, you mention that they have "poles" to roost on, as in round poles? Do you know that chickens prefer a flat surface to roost, such as a 2 x 4 with the "4" side up? Chickens will grasp onto a roost with their feet, but then release their feet and rest through the night on their keel bone. Having to hold on all night by grasping can cause foot problems in the long term. Just a bit of FYI