Suddenly not going in at night

[DaisyG2317]

What would cause a group of 5 month old pullets to not go in their house for the night, other than red mites? I went outside last evening and all 4 of my girls were roosting in the run, their automatic door was still open. The door closed and then they decided they wanted to go in. I had to physically carry them into hen house. I went back out later with a flashlight and checked for mites, none present. No predators/rats/ect have been in the coop.

 

[sourland]

Any possibility that a predator has been trying to get into the coop at night ?

 

[DaisyG2317]

Any possibility that a predator has been trying to get into the coop at night ?

I don't believe so, i have a trail cam and an arlo camera pointing at the coop and nothing has shown up on it. No access points for rodents to get in either.

 

[sourland]

Odd for sure. Generally the causes for refusing to enter the coop at night are: It's too hot, red mites, predators trying to get in or an overly aggressive bird guarding the entryway. Good luck in figuring this out.

 

[aart]

How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.
Maybe they are outgrowing it?

 

[DaisyG2317]

How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.
Maybe they are outgrowing it?

6x6 for 4 hens. They went in last night on their own

I suspected mites because 2 of them look kinda ragged, but i checked them and the coop and found none, so I assuming its another juvenile molt.

 

[aart]

They went in last night on their own

Maybe they just wanted to enjoy the day a bit longer?
Was it sunnier and/or warmer than usual?

They could be molting......did you find pin feathers while looking for mites.

Will paste this here just in case it helps.....
My Bug Check notes:
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[DaisyG2317]

Maybe they just wanted to enjoy the day a bit longer?
Was it sunnier and/or warmer than usual?

They could be molting......did you find pin feathers while looking for mites.

Will paste this here just in case it helps.....
My Bug Check notes:
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

I chocked it up to them being too preoccupied digging all the 2 foot deep holes in the run

I went out with flashlight, did the papertowel on the roost, parted feathers down to the skin, didn't see anything suspicious looking.

This is what 2 of them are looking like right now. I don't suspect bullying or anything like that either. They would not hold still so they aren't the best photos. I am a n00b so I am hoping it is just a 20 week mini molt. Nobody has a pale comb and the ones that have started laying have been doing so without issue. They look like they have a bunch of down visible?