Roosting

[cgainer]

I thought my 3 chickens were in for the night and closed the door. The next morning my dominant chicken was sleeping in a bush by the house. They have been going in their coop regularly for the last 3 months. The chicken in the bush is the dominant chicken and occasionally crows in the morning. What is going on with her?

 

[Chick Charm]

Sounds like a rooster. Is it only the one time it didn't go into the coop at night or is it becoming a habit?

 

[azygous]

Is this chicken a hen? If she's been laying for around four to six weeks, she may be broody. Are there eggs where she's choosing to "sleep"?

How is she behaving during the day? Does she still want to sit on the same spot in the bushes?

 

[cgainer]

Last night was the first night, she was up in the bush and the other 2 wanted to go up too. I thought they'd all gone into the coop, but she stayed in the bush.

 

[cgainer]

She hasn't started laying she's about 31/2 months old. She clucks a lot and lays around more than the others not in the bush but different placesw.

 

[azygous]

Then she's getting ready to lay her first egg. She's searching for the right place to do it, and she's "practicing" using the nest she's chosen by sitting in it.

Normally, pullets start playing "house" in the nest boxes right before they're getting ready to begin their egg laying careers, some beginning around 16 weeks. Yours are close.

Are the nest boxes in your coop open or are they blocked off to keep them out? It's time to open them up if you've had them blocked.

Also try putting fake eggs in the nests to give your pullets the right idea.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I thought my 3 chickens were in for the night and closed the door. The next morning my dominant chicken was sleeping in a bush by the house. They have been going in their coop regularly for the last 3 months. The chicken in the bush is the dominant chicken and occasionally crows in the morning. What is going on with her?

You've heard what they say, "A bird in the bush is worth two in the coop."

 

[cgainer]

Thanks, although I want eggs, I hate to see them grown up and ready to lay. I guess it's "empty nest" syndrome.

 

[Chick Charm]

Any update on this crowing hen? Curious.