Janty Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 For the last three nights some of my big girls have taken to going back into the run as usual but then instead of going into the cube, they roost on one of the branches inside the cube run. I was a bit shocked when I first saw them. I climbed inside the run and put them all to bed. The second night I left them. They seem happy enough to go inside the cube. They are laying as usual but just not going to bed. I have checked for any crawlies, signs of red spider mite or anything else unpleasant. I even tried using a torch light to entice them up the ladder but that just had the opposite effect and two more went down the ladder to roost outside. They have never done this before and I haven't introduced any new hens to this lot so it can't be that they have taken a dislike to anyone. I know that they are just doing what comes naturally but I do worry that they will get cold. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks, Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 I'm only a novice and don't have a cube but it sounds to me like they are getting a taste for the natural sleep rather than being shut in as they roost in branches in the wild. You obviously have a pecking order as well, was it one of the dominant hens who did it first? If you have no mites or nasties in the cube maybe they just fancy the outdoor sleep? I wouldnt worry too much about them being cold as they are hardy birds. The only reason I like mine shut in the eglu as night is because of potential predators, if I could guarantee there was nothing on this earth that could get in my little eglu run I would leave them out in the run all night no worries re the cold? I'm sure someone will be along who can help more than I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Must be the change in the weather Janty. Three of mine have taken to roosting in the branches of the tree in their run! They look very happy there so I leave them to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Hi ya Janty, I wouldn't worry about them getting cold, the weather is getting warmer now and they got feather duvets. It's strange but yeah perhaps they fancy the great outdoors! We don't really know much about roosting but sure someone else may have some ideas. Are you going to the meet on the 10th May in Billericay at Barleylands?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 As long as they are secure and you are happy that there's nothing lurking in the cube that might put them off going in, then I wouldn't worry. Are they laying in the cube? If they abandon it altogether, give it a dusting with mite powder. My wyandotte sometimes sleeps outside - it's like she's guarding the rest of them and she won't let any of the others roost with her when she does it, but then she's easily rattled - paranoid chook! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 It might be getting too warm for them in there. A friend of mine has hens that always roost in her trees.....and she has never lost one to a fox! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 It sounds like they are happy to sleep there Three of mine usually escape over the omlet fencing the run is inside 2 make there way back at roosting time, one comes and sits on the back door step watching us in the house, then gets up when we go out and toddles back to the eglu Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 They are laying in the cube and Buffy spent the day in there today...she's broody unfortunately. I may go to Barleylands in May...not sure yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
