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

[sammyantha]

What do I do?! They're dirty stop outs!

 

It's been about 3 days now and they won't go to bed - it's a bit of a nightmare trying to catch them from the eglu run at 11pm in the dark with a torch and then pop them through the egg port.

 

Any ideas?

[Redwing]

Usually their instinct to go in to roost is strong so normally its something in the house that is making them avoid it

 

Have you checked the Eglu for redmite?

 

You do get chickens that dont like going inside however if all of yours are doing it and they previously roosted normally then I would check for beasties

[Egluntyne]

I agree. This behaviour is typical when there is a redmite infestation.

[quickcluck]

Yup, was just gonna say the same thing........

[Jools]

If it isn't red mite (and I think it probably is), try pulling a small torch inside the eglu itself just before roosting time. I know it sounds a bit odd, but it was recommended to me years ago to show them where to roost and it did work with the two rescue chooks I had at the time.

[Patricia W]

It could just be the type of chicken. My Polish Bantams were dreadful about going to bed in the eglu. Once I had them in the run that was fine, but they'd roost on anything high up they could find, rather then go low down in the eglu. So always had to be tempted into the run with treats and the door locked securely behind them. Then they'd go in the house - no problem.

 

Once they moved to the cube- they were fine. I don't think they felt safe at ground level.

 

My next lot are the same. Once I started letting them free range, they prefer to roost on a pile of logs in the garden, rather than low down in the eglu.

 

Tricia

[Chucky Mama]

Are they roosting somewhere else or are they still partying?

[sammyantha]

Thanks ever so much for all your replies - I've been working today so didn't have a chance to get back to everyone.

 

 

I'll check for redmite and I'll also try out the torch thing.

 

Chucky Mama - they're still partying - seem pretty content just pecking and clucking around.

 

Thanks - I'll keep you updated.

 

Cheers.