chixandthecity Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 My other half just rang from work and said that when he let the chickens out this morning one of them was in fact already out, cowering in a (dry, sheltered) bit of the run. I feel awful. I shut them in last night after dark, presuming that they were both inside, but the darker one clearly wasn't. IWe currently have 6 inches or so of snow here. I wonder why she didn't go into the Eglu when it got dark? Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midori Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I can't help, but I'd be interested in this too. Our cochin sometimes doesn't go in at night, although she seems to go in more lately. I always have to do a head count when I shut the coop door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chixandthecity Posted November 29, 2010 Author Share Posted November 29, 2010 This is the first time it's happened in nearly two years! Would have to be last night of all nights! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 That is really weird. I did exactly the same thing last night, the only time it has happened in over 3 years of keeping chickens. It was dark when I locked them up for the night, and I can't understand why my blue laced Wyandotte was not in the Cube and how I didn't see her! She was quite indignant this morning when I went to let them out, I was just relieved that she had survived the night. I shall be more vigilant from now on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 And me - I shut the eglu door and walked off and it was only because there was a tweet tweet from the run I realised somebody was left outdoors Perhaps there was more light than usual or a strange moon phase Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 How strange...one of my girls has been avoiding the Eglu at night. Two nights in a row, she roosted alone on the highest shelf, directly above the Eglu, whilst the others went in.... It's been a blessing as we've been isolating her at night (she's top hen and we've been gradually introducing two youngsters to the eglu...and didn't want her to chase them out) but most nights I leave them to take themselves to bed and wouldn't have checked where she was as I don't close the Eglu door (it's in a WIR that has two solid sides).... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I've just discovered why my girl was not in the Cube last night, and why I didn't see her. She has gone broody and must have been sitting in their favourite nesting box, an old covered wicker cat basket, when I locked up in the dark. I saw her in there yesterday morning, and assumed she was laying, but found her in there again this afternoon all puffed up and she is clearly broody. Mystery solved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 My three are still roosting out on their favourite perch in the run. I put them all in the house come bed-time (girly bed-time that was) on Saturday - OMG the racket - so I let them back out to do their own thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 All these girls they are up to no good! I keep coming home in the dark and finding my little babies perched on the roof of their house in this freezing cold weather . OH foxed them by building a stand for the house which is now touching their run roof and they jump up into their house and snuggle down. Partly roosting habits and partly these chooks are all in collusion against us. I'm off to read the 'Hen's Rights' thread to see if they have been plotting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chixandthecity Posted November 29, 2010 Author Share Posted November 29, 2010 Just been out to close them up for the night - both inside tonight. Seems to have been a one off yesterday! Still feel awful though, can't think of how I can make amends with a chicken! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Fling it a mealworm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
