Should I let my chicken roost on my deck railing?

[szwr197]

I have had my girls for 4 years and never a problem with them going in at night. Lately, one bird, Dot, decided she is going to start sleeping on my deck railing which probably feels to her like she is in a tree because the Lilac Bush sort of eats the railing in that spot. I've been carrying her inside the past few nights and putting her on the roost. I then watch on my cameras to see if there are any shenanigans going on inside the coop and there do not appear to be any. She cuddles up with the other girls and beds down for the night and when I look for the next few hours and again in the morning before they wake, she's still in the same spot. The coop is clean and the roost is plenty big enough, having been built for 6 birds and now only home to 4. During the daytime she is happy hanging out with the rest of the flock. Although, her comb was bloody the other day so maybe there was a tussle I missed that has her rattled. She is certainly not the lowest chicken on the totem pole, but she's not the top either.

Honestly, she looks pretty safe and happy on the railing so I don't know if I am doing the right thing by moving her in at night but I know that even though our yard is fenced in, predators could still get in so I think she would be much safer in the coop. Also, of course, she can't sleep outside in the winter. I thought at first she was just missing the cut off for the automatic door closing but that is not the case. What to do, what to do??

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

If she's not protected on the deck rail then I would make sure she goes in the coop for sure. Maybe keep her confined to the coop and fed/ watered and given treats there for a few days and she might get back in routine. If she's being pecked and harassed by the others make sure she has things she can hide behind/under and places to perch to get away from them while locked up with them. Separate feeding and water areas so she can get access with out competition.

 

[aart]

Although, her comb was bloody the other day so maybe there was a tussle I missed that has her rattled.

Pecking orders can change...who knows why they were 'fighting'.
Keep an eye out, you might figure it out.
All these birds have lived together in peace for 4 years?
Sometimes if a bird is unhealthy, the flock knows before we do and will try to drum it out of the flock.

I think she would be much safer in the coop.

Indeed, keep putting her in there...hopefully she starts going back in on her own.

 

[szwr197]

Thanks everyone. I will keep putting her in every night and keep watching to see if there is anything going on that would be impacting her. I had been thinking maybe the coop was too hot even with the ventilation, windows open (covered in hard wire mesh of course) and the fan bringing in air from outside. I'll look into that as well. I appreciate it.