Sleeping on the floor... is that okay?

[JNorth]

I just went out to fill the small waterer that we keep in the coop. We lock our girls up at night. Anyway, this is the first time I have gone out after dark and I noticed that one chicken is sleeping under the roost on the sand floor. DH said that he has seen her there before.

Is that okay? It doesn't seem like the something that could be harmful. Maybe she just likes it down there.

From what I see all throughout the day there are no signs of aggression in any of the girls. They all pretty much get along, they don't even bother each others eggs.... so I don't think that she's getting kicked off the roost at night. Thoughts?

 

[donrae]

My only thought is if she's under the roost she's gonna get pooped on. And it's unusual behavior for a bird old enough to lay to sleep on the ground. Is she broody? How much roost space do you have? If they're kinda crowded on the roost she may be getting too warm at night and is seeking cooler temps.

 

[JNorth]

It's seems like there is enough room on the roost. That being said we've been having the unusually hot weather like everyone else. DH is going to add another roost just for good measure. I don't think she is broody. She doesn't sit there during the day and we have no problems collecting eggs. She there just at night.

The first thought I had is that she is going to get pooped on too

. We'll see if things change once we get another roost in there... maybe they just want more room to spread out. And, I have noticed a bit of a growth spurt in the last week or so.