4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[towey]

Advice needed please!!!

I've had my 2 chickens for 2 months and they normally go back to the house at dusk, however for the last week they won't go to bed and are choosing to sleep anywhere but their hen house (wheelie bins, patio furniture etc) even when it's raining. We keep putting them back in the house at night but then the next night they do the same again. I've also scrubbed and treated the house for mites. Any advice as to why they are doing this and what I can do to stop it.

Thanks

xx

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum, Towey . It does sound like there's something in their house they don't like . What are you using to treat the house?

[Patricia W]

Mine have always had this preference as they are bantams and like roosting off the ground. I have checked the eglu, and use red mite powder, stalosan etc regularly so I'm confident it's not that.

 

However, I have trained them to go in by throwing mixed corn and/or another treat (mealworms etc) in the run. They come running just when they see me appear with the treats bowl and go in easily - and then I shut the door. Once they are in the run they are fine.

 

I have to do it before it gets too dark though as they won't come off the seat/branch etc then and I then carry them one by one to bed!

[towey]

I used duramitex plus spray as this was reccomended. Think I'm gonna stop them free ranging for a few days to refamiliarise themselves with the house and run. Thanks for your help.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've never heard of that (not that I'm a very experienced chicken keeper!)

 

Products that are often mentioned on the forum are Poultry Shield, Red Mite Power & Diatomaceous Earth. It might be worth having another go using them?