Some of flock roosting outside

[sharie7396]

We have 8 hens and a rooster. One hen has always preferred to roost outside. But recently, another chicken...and a 20 week old one as well...have also been roosting outside.

We redid their coop and its clean. Any idea why these other two joined the 1st? Also there is another 20 week old that stays in the coop at night. During the day the 2 newer ones hang out tho....weird.

 

[Lost Farmer]

We have 8 hens and a rooster. One hen has always preferred to roost outside. But recently, another chicken...and a 20 week old one as well...have also been roosting outside.

We redid their coop and its clean. Any idea why these other two joined the 1st? Also there is another 20 week old that stays in the coop at night. During the day the 2 newer ones hang out tho....weird.

HAve you trained them to roost in the coop? How long did you leave them in there before allowing them to free range?

 

[sharie7396]

Yes...they had always stayed in there until recently

 

[Pork Pie]

It maybe that there is something in the coop that is bothering them possibly? A change in bedding material, mites, rodents or some such.

 

[Lost Farmer]

Yes...they had always stayed in there until recently

Are your roosts pretty high in the coop, the higher the better, Chickens like to be high up when they sleep

 

[sharie7396]

Are your roosts pretty high in the coop, the higher the better, Chickens like to be high up when they sleep

That may be it! They are lower than they were before and theyre roosting in trees. Ill put higher ones and seenifnthat works! Do i need to introduce them to them again? Or will they just figure it out?

 

[Lost Farmer]

That may be it! They are lower than they were before and theyre roosting in trees. Ill put higher ones and seenifnthat works! Do i need to introduce them to them again? Or will they just figure it out?

They will figure it out, you may want to retrain them for a couple days, let them see the high up roosts. only a day or two in the coop should let them figure out the new setup, Chickens are curious and like to be high off the ground. they will find it no problem.