Roosting outside

[rick]

I've heard it said many yes that chickens don't like a draft but do they move inside when its drafty - off what appears to have become their favorite perch outside?
The indoor perch is a bit narrow so I'll make a better one out of 2x2 but they wouldn't stick it out in a wind would they? If they could go indoors?

 

[dinosaw]

They might if it was a higher roosting spot than you were offering, normally putting them in the house two or three times is enough to cure them of the notion though I had one hen who roosted outdoors for her entire life with me unless I forcibly put her into the coop. She only went into the coop at night voluntarily on five occasions, three when she was at the barest stage of her moult and the two nights after she had been attacked by a fox and had her neck bitten. I just used to leave her to it, she wasn't in a particularly drafty spot mind as she was six foot up on the roof beams of the run which were protected to a large extent from the through wind.

 

[KittyKat]

I currently have three which sleep outdoors, but they did go in on the coldest nights last week when the temperatures dropped a fair bit. They've been back outside for the last couple of days. The indoor perches are definitely higher, but I leave them be out in the run as it doesn't do them any harm.

 

[rick]

It seems that chickens won't endure any more than they want to then. There isn't much headroom from the base of the roosting box ( pets at home coop) but I'll see if I can make a elevated 2x2 perch in there. Nesting box great - go in one at a time to lay in the morning then leave. last one in collects the 3 eggs into a pile The perch they currently prefer is about 18" off the ground, passed through the coop run from one side to the other.

 

[dinosaw]

It seems that chickens won't endure any more than they want to then

The only note of caution I would give on this would be where you have a mixed flock of birds some will tolerate cold better than others but they do have a tendency to roost together come what may, not always ideal for some of the lighter feathered mediterranean breeds.

 

[chrismahon]

Chickens will roost outside in all weathers if there is red mite in the coop. Our neighbour has just lost all his to foxes that just pulled them out of the neighbouring tree in the night during a terrific thunderstorm. So worth checking the coop carefully Rick.

 

[rick]

Thanks. That's quite a horror story! I will check for mites. As I'll be making a new perch I have a mind to purposely leave a gap at the end for easy inspection.
Have found that if I put one inside at bedtime the rest follow.