The Chickens are Restless... why?

[MIChickandGuinea]

Do chickens sleep poorly when the weather is unusually hot/humid (for our area... it’s probably 80-85 outside right now, which I realize is NOT hot by many people's standards, but our birds are used to a cooler northern climate). I was just peeking at our live-streaming chicken cam to make sure our broody and new chicks were looking settled and safe. I noticed that several of the hens were awake and walking back and forth on roosts, even though it’s hours past dark. I went outside to check for invaders in their coop, and saw nothing. But while outside, i heard the bantams shuffling and fussing in their coop also (and again, no invaders).

Their coops are extremely well-ventilated. Windows are wide open and every bird has the opportunity to roost right against an open window (with hardware cloth) if she wants to. There’s a good breeze tonight too. Not sure why the birds are awake!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How much light do you have in your coop at night?

You may also want to check them for lice/mites if they are unsettled, but it sounds like they have light to see, so they are milling about.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are storms are heading your way?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Curious as storms past through here, and I assume they will be heading to Michigan next. Another option is Mosquitoes. It can be hard to say for sure as most of us don't have a camera to see what our birds are up to at night.

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

How much light do you have in your coop at night?
No light. Camera has night vision.
You may also want to check them for lice/mites if they are unsettled, but it sounds like they have light to see, so they are milling about.

No light at night. The camera has night vision.

 

[stormrobin]

I checked in mine tonight in the middle of a nasty storm and to shut their window and mine were all settled in but jumpy. They were quite reactive when I walked in which they usually aren’t, but no one walked to roost. A few stood up and was restless. But could be they are also more used to the storms? Been having quite a few here lately. Sorry I’m not a lot of help.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well.... Mine are sleeping right now if that helps

I've never seen any of mine wandering around at night on my camera, that is why I'm wandering how much light is shining in. Even during bad wind, rain/thunderstorms my girls seem to sleep through it. (I've watched)

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

Curious as storms past through here, and I assume they will be heading to Michigan next. Another option is Mosquitoes. It can be hard to say for sure as most of us don't have a camera to see what our birds are up to at night.

We have storms in the area (though not here), and soooooo many mosquitoes. Maybe that’s it.

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

Curious as storms past through here, and I assume they will be heading to Michigan next. Another option is Mosquitoes. It can be hard to say for sure as most of us don't have a camera to see what our birds are up to at night.

My funny husband set up a chicken cam so we can always see what’s up with the little girls

 

[Wyorp Rock]

No light at night. The camera has night vision.

Hmmm...do you have a neighbor that perhaps has an outdoor light shining in a window?

The only other thing I can think of that might make them move around at night would be mites/lice or a mouse/rat(?) You may want to go out there with a flashlight and shine it on some bums and under wings to see if they have any mites bothering them. (mites only come out at night)