[Greenerlife]

After having my hens living in their house for 18 months or so, they have decided it's not to their liking!  They spend their nights perched on top of it.


I spoke to a friend who keeps hens and he thought it might be red mite that was bothering them.  Now I always use Diatom and whilst I have had red mite in the past, there is no sign of any now.  I did however, just to make sure, completely clean their house, and then used a mite killer, left it to dry for hours, put some fresh bedding in, and guess what?  They only go in to lay their eggs and then spend the nights on top of the hen house again!


They are quite safe on top - I am not too concerned with predators, but then I don't like it that they don't like their house!  Any ideas?

[omnipeasant]

Of course they like their house, just that they like the outside of it. Is there somewhere to perch inside?

[in the hills]

My first guess would have been red mite. They can be difficult to get rid of. I would treat again.
It could be that you did have mite and the hens are now in a habit of sleeping out and maybe assume the beasties are still there. If possible catch hens for a few nights and pop in their house to re-establish the habit of sleeping in. Some breeds seem more inclined to roost outdoors but if yours are on top of the house I'm guessing they would like to be indoors. My hens that like to sleep out tend to be nowhere near their house but high up in trees.

[Womble]

Just a thought, but is your ventilation OK?  We have a converted shed for a hen house, and although we did install ventilation grilles, it got quite stuffy in there during the summer until I installed a load more of them.

[the great composto]

Just a thought, but is your ventilation OK?  We have a converted shed for a hen house, and although we did install ventilation grilles, it got quite stuffy in there during the summer until I installed a load more of them.

This was my first thought too - you dont say how many hens you have but they generate a lot of heat and if the nights are warm they may just be uncomfortable.

[plumseverywhere]

Its been so muggy and warm at night here, has it been where you are too? They get so hot in their sheds so I'm guessing ventilation too 

[Greenerlife]

Hmmm - hadn't thought about ventilation.  There is a large vent in the side that actually is windward, but perhaps they need another one.     There's only five of them in a house for 12, soit shouldn't be overcrowding!  It has been very hot here.  Well - humid anyway.  I'll give it another couple of days, and if they don't venture back in there, I'll put them in rather than waiting for the automatic door!

[hughesy]

Any chance that rats are getting in there after dark?

[plumseverywhere]

if you can put another vent the other side the air can circulate better 

[Greenerlife]

Any chance that rats are getting in there after dark?

Oooh that sent shivers up my spine and chilled me right through!


The door shuts at 10pm and I suppose if the rat got in before then...


No chance after the door shuts.   Hmmm...might put the food away...

[Fowlman]

More ventilation the better, they have much higher body temps than humans.