Hi all. Any ideas why my chicken is sleeping here instead of inside. She's never done it before. It 11pm here and not warm. I just went and put her inside but straight away she stumbled out the door to get on the landing again. Also i've never shut the door as its very predator proof and its daylight for a couple of hours before i'm up. Thanks
Hard to tell your arrangement from photo…would look at the roost height and length inside. looks low inside or inside sleeper is on floor? Maybe she wants a higher roost or more room on roost? Or being bumped off inside roost by others. Or if no window inside, prefers a roost with a view. Could you post daytime photos of inside coop arrangement and roost positions?
Welcome to BYC! We're glad to have you. There are several reasons why she may be doing this. The other birds may be picking on her. They may be chasing her away from the roost. There may not be enough roosting space. Each hen should have at least 8 inches of roost space. She may be sick, and therefore more submissive and subdued. Is she acting normal other than this behavior? The roosts inside are too low. Chickens like roosting high up. She may feel more comfortable outside, perhaps on a higher place. She doesn't like the roosts. I've found that my chickens prefer roosting on flat surfaces, instead of on narrower boards. I suspect that they are more comfortable on a larger resting area.
Hi, thanks all for your replies. She's always slept inside, acting very like herself in every other way, although i will be watching tomorrow. I will take some photo's in daylight, there's quite abit of room in there for 4, normally they don't take up half of it.There's 2 long perches, 3 sections of floor and 2 nesting boxes, the perches could be abit low but she normally perches on one along with another 2 and one on the floor. It is a little strange,i probably could understand if it was warm. Also she is the oldest and the boss of the flock and the others are not happy with the situation. Thanks for your help.
Hello there and welcome to BYC! Wyandottes X2 She is either being bullied out of the coop or there is not enough room on the bars. For her safety, you need to figure out what is going on and get her inside the coop every night. Even if your run is predator proof, the preds are going to come sniffing around if they see or smell her out there. You don't want to add to the draw of predators at night. Winter is coming and she should be sleeping with the others. Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!
Hi all back with a update this evening. All was fine today and this evening is back inside where she normally sleeps. So not sure what was happening, def not being picked on as if anything she is the bully boss.My Wyandottes are so docile, they have never pecked at anything, there abit too timid. There was one difference i thought of, everyday i pick out the droppings and sprinkle fresh shavings around. Yesterday was the first day i didn't do it, that's never happened in the 12 months i've owned Meg, maybe the princess didn't like it....