Chicken won't get off the roost

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Marianne

Marianne

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I have a friend that has a Buff Orp that refuses to get off the roost. My friend can pick her up, set her on the floor and then hen squawks like she's annoyed and flies right back up to the roost. The hen can't be bribed with treats, food or water.

My friend said that she doesn't appear to be injured or egg bound, plus they have no rooster for her to be nervous about. The buff has been on the roost for at least 1-1/2 days.

Any ideas or suggestions?
 
Beekissed

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Leave her be...she'll come down when she is thirsty or hungry. If she doesn't, that also takes care of the problem.
 
keljonma

keljonma

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Although she may not appear to be sick to a human, chickens are very quick to pick up on another's weakness. It could be she is being picked on by the rest of the flock, and the roost is a safe haven. Personally, I would isolate her where she can be observed for 24 hours. By herself, she may exhibit normal behavior or what is really ailing her. Either way, 24 hours in isolation usually helped me pin-point the situation; either treating the hen or returning her to the hen house.

Another thought... has the hen been checked for bumblefoot or sores on the bottom of her feet?
 
BarredBuff

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Weird.....hmmmmmm I dont know. Maybe broody on the roost? That sounds like brooding behavior.... I dont know :hu
 
Marianne

Marianne

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Right after I posted this, I saw that you had started a chicken thread!

Whatever the problem was, the hen got over it. She was out free ranging late on day 2. I talked to my buddy again, she said that the hen almost acted like she was afraid. As I said, no roosters and the rest of the hens seemed fine. My friend wasn't sure if this hen was at the bottom of the pecking order or not, but she wasn't showing signs of being pecked or anything. There are just 12 of them in a coop built to hold 25 with room to spare.

:hu
 
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terri9630

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Maybe something scared her. Cat, hawk or something. None of my hens are afraid of the rooster. If anything its the other way around. The hens go after the roo when he gets to annoying.
 
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Team Chaos

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I swear, sometimes my girls pull stunts like that just to get noticed and doted on a little more :rolleyes: Glad she's okay!
 
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