Roosting outside

[ice2fire911]

I have 10 adult chickens that we have had for a year. Three of them have started to refuse to roost inside the coop. We got out at 9:30 at night to find the same 3 hens roosting in the outdoor run with is Pretoria safe BUT I want them in coop sleeping with the other hens. What made them all of a sudden want to be outside roosting??

 

[ice2fire911]

 

[hillbillyreefer]

If you figure it out, let us all know.
Mine often roost outside in the summer when it’s very warm. I used to catch them and move them inside, now I just let them do as they please.

 

[Peppercorngal]

It's a mystery. Chickens seem to do what they want and roosting is a individual thing for them. My last flock of chicks started roosting at 2 weeks old. My current chicks still don't roost at 6 weeks old. They have the same opportunity in the coop and the run as the other's had roost wise. Like, what's up with that? Chickens are weird, you can never figure them out! If your 3 hens are safe roosting outside, I'd leave them be.

 

[aart]

I have 10 adult chickens that we have had for a year. Three of them have started to refuse to roost inside the coop. We got out at 9:30 at night to find the same 3 hens roosting in the outdoor run with is Pretoria safe BUT I want them in coop sleeping with the other hens. What made them all of a sudden want to be outside roosting??

Well, spring is springing and hormones are flowing.
Are all your birds female?
How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
Pics of your coop, run, and roosts might tell the tale.
Oh, and, also knowing your location would help.

 

[Delaneygraces]

I have 10 adult chickens that we have had for a year. Three of them have started to refuse to roost inside the coop. We got out at 9:30 at night to find the same 3 hens roosting in the outdoor run with is Pretoria safe BUT I want them in coop sleeping with the other hens. What made them all of a sudden want to be outside roosting??

Hallo!! Your chickens could be doing this for multiple reasons! I can’t say exactly why. But I do know it is simple to get them roosting in the same area again!
I free range my chickens from the second they are old enough to leave the brooder, until the roos start crowing/fighting/Breeding. I start off putting them all inside the coop in the roosting area. I lock them in, feed and water them in there for about a week, them turn em loose.
After a while, they find the pecking order, and form mini flocks. Soon, they started roosting in the rafters of the garden shed, instead of the coop.

This is an EASY fix! Once they have gone to roost, or when you feed them, catch them and put them in the coop where you want them to roost! Feed and water them there for a week or so, then let them back out! They’ll associate the coop with food, water, and remeber being locked in and sleeping there, and it’ll become habit going to sleep there!

 

[ice2fire911]

ThAnk you! Lots of great information here! The girls went back into there coop and haven’t been outside in a many days!!

 

[Delaneygraces]

Congrats!