What would you do? Lone Sleeper

[ANiceKaren]

Hi friends! Wondering what you all would do with this situation. Background: I had a 3 girl flock for about 2 years.. one died and 2 remaining became very close. Besties. One of those died this summer. Added 5 girls (now 2 years old) and while they are one flock during day free ranging at night they have always slept in different coops. My run has 2 coops. NOW my lone Hazel sleeps on her roost alone while 5 other girls sleep in the other coop. My concern is winter. The 5 girls can huddle close while Hazel is alone on her roost. My run is winterized and no wind or weather can get in but I worry that she chooses to sleep alone. She has access to the other coop but still chooses to be alone on roost. Would you move her into the coop with other girls or let her choose? Here is a pic from my Ring camera.. otehr girls in coop to right while Hazel alone on her roost. Entire run is winterized and roofed

 

[Luv Ducks]

Hi friends! Wondering what you all would do with this situation. Background: I had a 3 girl flock for about 2 years.. one died and 2 remaining became very close. Besties. One of those died this summer. Added 5 girls (now 2 years old) and while they are one flock during day free ranging at night they have always slept in different coops. My run has 2 coops. NOW my lone Hazel sleeps on her roost alone while 5 other girls sleep in the other coop. My concern is winter. The 5 girls can huddle close while Hazel is alone on her roost. My run is winterized and no wind or weather can get in but I worry that she chooses to sleep alone. She has access to the other coop but still chooses to be alone on roost. Would you move her into the coop with other girls or let her choose? Here is a pic from my Ring camera.. otehr girls in coop to right while Hazel alone on her roost. Entire run is winterized and roofed

Does she seem to get along with the others? I would monitor her in the coop with them and see what happens. If she gets along with them I would move her in with them for warmth and companionship. If they start picking on her then I would leave her alone. That's just what I would do, good luck with your decision.

 

[ANiceKaren]

Does she seem to get along with the others? I would monitor her in the coop with them and see what happens. If she gets along with them I would move her in with them for warmth and companionship. If they start picking on her then I would leave her alone. That's just what I would do, good luck with your decision.

She is actually the head hen so I don’t think they would pick on her. They get along for the most part. Besides night time they are all together. She used to sleep next to her bestie up here. Thanks for your response!

 

[Tonyroo]

Don't do anything other than to check on her. As long as she's fully feathered she will be fine roosting by herself.

 

[Luv Ducks]

She is actually the head hen so I don’t think they would pick on her. They get along for the most part. Besides night time they are all together. She used to sleep next to her bestie up here. Thanks for your response!

You are most welcome. I think she would be happier in the long run being with the others at night. Hopefully it will all work out well for you.

 

[townchicks]

If there is adequate room in the other coop for all the hens, I would try moving her into the coop at night after dark. You may need to do this several nights in a row. If you do this for 4 or 5 nights and she still wants to go to the old coop, let her. Maybe one of the others will choose to join her there.

 

[ANiceKaren]

Don't do anything other than to check on her. As long as she's fully feathered she will be fine roosting by herself.

If there is adequate room in the other coop for all the hens, I would try moving her into the coop at night after dark. You may need to do this several nights in a row. If you do this for 4 or 5 nights and she still wants to go to the old coop, let her. Maybe one of the others will choose to join her there.

Funny you say this..plenty of room for her. One of the other girls likes to sleep on top of the coop she sleeps in! I suppose I could just let her do that as well.. I don’t think temps are much different outside those coops versus the actual run anyway.

 

[townchicks]

Don't do anything other than to check on her. As long as she's fully feathered she will be fine roosting by herself.

 

[Guppy7]

I have 2 small coops in a covered run with 6 chickens. The two Rhode Island reds always roosted together and the others sleep in the bigger of the two coops. Now one of the reds decided she wants to roost with everyone else. I have moved her back at night with the other red but she keeps goin in with the group. The loner is bottom of the pecking order. I just feel bad for her being alone and no other chicken to warm up to. Is this normal?

 

[ChickyWhicky]

I have 2 coops that are attached. I have a few hens who choose to roost alone even in winter. Never even thought about moving them or coaxing to roost with others.

As long as she is secure and out of harms way, why bother her? Some animals just have more of a seculsive demeaner. She might like her space and peace while roosting.