Outside roosting

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Hi,
My 4 Pekins have decided that they no longer want to retire to the coop and huddle in the furthest, most inaccessible corner of the run, making quite a stink when I try and get them into the coop.Is this just because the weather is warming up? I hate upsetting them, but surely, I don't leave them there, do I - they are enclosed, but the run wouldn't withstand a determined hit?
 
Hello, have you checked the coop for red mite? one of the signs is the chickens not wanting to roost in the coop- if no mites ( check under perches and all crevices etc) then i would put them in every night- make sure your coop has plenty of ventilation without being draughty.
regards, David :)
 
Hi, David,
I checked for red spider mites, but couldn't see anything. Are they easily visible? Anyway, cleaned the hosue completely and used louse powder just in case - one of my girls went last night, the others huddling together outside again.
 
If your hens usually roost on a perch, smear a little petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the underside of the perch.

Check it in the morning and if it is clear, then probably no mites, if there are grey specks then mites that haven't fed yet and if there are red specks you have mites that have.
 
Hi,

Out of interest:- How can you tell grey specks of dust, i.e. red mite, from the diatom?

My perches and crevices are smothered with DE, plus I use double sided sticky tape on the underside of the perches. Can't see whether there are red mites because the diatom is grey specks of dust? Have also run a tissue on the underside of the perches, which so far is clean, other than the diatom rubbing off on it.

Hope someone is kind enough to clarify, would hate to think all is well when in fact it might not be?
 
Gosh. It's sort of one of those you'll know it when you see it sort of things.

I guess a more helpful answer is that the mites are sort of oblong and a regular shape (just rather small) They are also darker in colour than Diatom dust.

Chances are if they have had a chance to eat they will. So will turn red.

I put a smear of petroleum jelly around the top ends and side ends of the perches causing the mites to walk underneath and into the trap underneath.

You have got to be sneaky as they are super sneaky.
 
My pekins don't roost, so have taken the perches out.
None of them went in last night and kicked up quite a stink when I put them in, but can't see any specs around the house.
Perhaps, they're just awkward?
 
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