Carlisle chick Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Hello there, I'm new to the club & brand new to chicken keeping so I apologise if this is a bit of a daft question!! I was wondering if it is unusual for hens to roost an hour or two earlier than sunset? Rhoda, my beautiful Rhode Island Red hen seems to be going to bed a little earlier every night, closely followed by Mabel (speckled sussex). Beatrix (silver welsumer) tends to be the last to go to bed but still an hour or so before sunset. They only arrived on Friday 13th August. Is this normal behaviour? I am still a very much so, new & paranoid hen keeper! Any comments gratefully recieved. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 I shouldn't worry - they have probably worn themselves out with the excitement of the move. They are all different. Next Summer you will be there at 10.30 tapping your foot waiting for them to go to bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Mine have always roosted quite early. They put themselves away at around 7.30pm at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlisle chick Posted August 16, 2010 Author Share Posted August 16, 2010 Thank you so much for your replies, it's really set my mind at rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 and rather sadly, the nights are drawing in... so they will go to bed earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmberSky Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Eva my Italian black leghorn always goes to bed 1st at least an hour before the other hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambles Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 My new three go at about 7.30 and often go to their bedroom during the day if they're feeling a bit scared of anything (even each other!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 They usually take themselves off to bed when the light drops to a certain level, so that they are safe from predators before nightfall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 I was quite surprised at Redders BBQ - the chickens were up so late whereas mine were wanting to go to bed at least an hour and a half earlier. Possibly because the trees make it look darker and Redwing's field was open and much lighter. The latest that mine wanted their tea is 8.30 during the longest days to be in bed by 9, at the moment it's 7.30 and they are tucked in the cube around 8/8.15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
