Stoat killed hens asleep in the Eglu

[yasminvaldes]

 have an Eglu with a 12 ft run. I got 3 hens from from a friend and at first they were doing great going in the coop at night. However, recently I added a high perch in the run, and every night my 3 hens have decided that they rather be up in the perch than go on the coop. We live on a 3 acre property behind a farm, so I’m afraid of predators so every night I go and help them into the coop, which is getting to be exhausting.

I’ve checked for mites and don’t see any, although I’m new to this and could missing it.

What can the cause of this issue be? Any help is greatly appreciated

Yasmin Barnes-Valdes

[Cat tails]

My first suggestion would be to remove the perch and see if they go back in the coop again.

Some prefer sleeping outside, especially when it’s warm.

[yasminvaldes]

I tried that and still nothing.  I have checked the coop for mites and negative.  I am so tried of crawling in poop to get then in the coop at night . It's been about 3 weeks now.  For the first 2 weeks I had them, they did great.  Now I am at my wits end!