Won't go into coup at night

[mercede81]

Only one of my chickens won't go into her coop at night, all the rest are roosting safely inside and she is still out wondering around, flying into the house, or perching on the swimming pool ladder. We have to hunt her down each night and put her in the coop with the rest of the chickens. She has been going into the coop every night for 6 months or more with no problem, now she isn't. What do you think the problem could be?

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, mercede81, and

! Pleased you joined our community! Don't know what your weather is like but I sometimes have a bird that doesn't want to go into the coop on super hot and humid evenings. Another thing it might be with your bird is pecking order - if she is getting picked on in the coop she might be reluctant to enter. Good luck to you!

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

I agree with Redsox - and you might try luring the birds into the coop before dusk with some treats, and then closing them in for the night, to help her relearn where she roosts.

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

Apart from possible bullying or weather another possibility is that you might have red mites in the coop. They don't live on the birds, but hide in cracks and crevices in the coop instead, coming out at night to feed when the birds are sleeping. If the chickens figure out that there pests in the coop they may be reluctant to go in there to sleep, preferring instead to sleep in a spot outside where they will be left in peace. More info and them and treatments here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mites-chicken-pests-how-to-protect-your-chickens-from-mites

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[ChirpyChicks1]