Why didn't Dopey go to bed tonight?

[Claire]

Just been out to shut pophole and Dopey was sitting forlornly out in the run, clucking miserably. She obviously wanted to be inside. I'd been out at 9 to shut them in for the night, but she had popped out again at that point (she seems to do this if I go out before it's totally dark), so I left it till about 11.30, as we had guests for dinner. We lifted her into the house, and she has stopped clucking, so think she just wanted to be in.

It did get dark quite quickly this evening - do you think she could have been surprised by the dusk and got disorientated? She has seemed well all day, eating and drinking well, so I don't think she is ill (although I suppose that is possible!).

Any suggestions much appreciated - I think she may just be living up to her name of Dopey! Thanks!

 

[QuailCreekFarm]

One of our little guys sometimes doesn't want to go into the coop at night. We're pretty sure it's when he's been picked on by one of the other roosters. Once we get him inside he seems to be fine.

 

[BeckyLa]

Don't feel alone. We have a flock of 14 EE's just getting ready to lay. Suddenly, the last few weeks, about half of them don't want to go in at night. They just hunker down on the outside roost. The only reason I can think of is that when the birds go in to roost there is such a squabble over the roost. There's plenty of room but a couple older birds want it all to themselves. Perhaps your girl just doesn't want to be picked on by the others.

 

[Claire]

I watched bedtime this evening, and all seemed to be well - but when I went to shut the pophole, Dopey again stirred, but I was quicker tonight, and got the door down. So I think when she came out last night, she was half asleep and too dozy to get back to bed!

 

[Southern28Chick]

The only thing I can think of is:
Chickens have very bad night vision, which is why mine go into their house at 7:30 sharp every night 2 hours before it gets really dark. You said it got dark earlier than normal, she must have just got stuck outside and couldn't really see very well and got scared.