Sleeping Outside?

[nikevijo]

My 3-4 month old chickens are living in a stall in my barn which has an attached paddock so they can go in and out as they please. During the day they nap inside. But at night you will find them all huddled together outside. A GIANT chicken cluster, from silkies to orps, about 50 of them.. Why on earth do they choose to sleep outside????

 

[Judy]

It's cooler outside?

Mine stay in the coop in the heat of the day because it is large and airy, and provides shade. They are out in the yard til maybe 9 AM and after maybe 4 PM. But they do sleep in the coop.

You might have to bribe them in with some treats and teach them to sleep inside. Sometimes a light turned on at dusk and off when they are on the roost helps.

 

[al6517]

Comfort, the large group they lie in is also for safety.

AL

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

Yeah, we have several that choose to roost outside. I have 5 grown silkies that like to roost on top of a little wooden bench that I have in their pen and they all just stand up on it all huddled together, gently swaying as though they are drunk!

 

[gway2008]

How Funny!

 

[lovinlife]

Mine always roost outside. I have a roost set up in the covered portion of my run (Texas-style coop, open on two sides) and they won't even look at it. Doesn't matter the temp, they sleep on the roost in the open. Including when it's 30 degrees and sleeting.

(may have to make a change for next winter...)