Why won't my Chicken go to Bed?

[candr01]

So, I have 2 chickens that are about 1 year old. They've been quite happy doing their chicken thing without too many issues this whole time. Last night we came home late at around 11:30pm and I saw one of my chickens, Sophia (Light Brahma), down in the run instead of up in the coop asleep. She was walking around, pecking at things, like she normally does through the day except it was late and night and way past her bedtime. The other chicken, Charlotte (BA), was perched on her roost asleep.

I've seen Sophia do this on occasion. Why won't she go to bed? Sophia is top chicken so it definitely isn't a bullying thing. Their coop is chicken-friendly, dark and cosy, lots of ventilation, cleaned regularly with PDZ on floor, and most nights she goes to bed happily. The only other weird thing about Sophia is that I think she is kinda skinny. Whenever I pick her up her keel bone is very pronouced, different to Charlotte who is more meaty. I've wormed her and she has no mites or other infestations. She generally seems happy, eats well, lays eggs, does all her chicken things. I've just put it down to her being a skinny chicken (shrug).

But now she's an insomniac? Really? If she can't sleep then I can imagine that could stress a chicken and could lead to weight loss -- or I might be totally over thinking this.

Why won't she go to bed?

Appreciate any thoughts.

 

[sourland]

Too much caffeine during the day?

 

[sjturner79]

What sources of light are there- if there is street lights or lights from a window or a porch light that is on that will often keep some chickens awake- also have you ever actually seen her go into the coop at dusk or nighttime. Some chooks won't go into a desk space. I had to replace one side of my coop with clear to get my chooks to go in and sleep voluntarily.

 

[Chook Kingdom]

I am always putting my Rhode Islands, Barred Rocks, and Buff Orpingtons to bed because they are the only breeds that don't like the coop. Some chickens have naps during the day and don't eat much so they stay out at night to get something.

 

[candr01]

It might be a lighting issue. We have outside security lights on a timer which kind of shine in their general direction. But we've always had them and it's not normally a problem. Typically, both chickens go in to the coop at dusk for bed as they should -- just sometimes I see her still out. So weird.

You think something like this might stress her to the point of weight loss? She really is kinda skinny.