Thought Chickens Roosted At Night

[lankeela]

Someone near me has got a chicken in their back garden - I kept hearing a strange noise today and then realised it was a chicken clucking. However its not almost 1 am and when I let the dogs out for a last wee just now I heard it again! I always thought chickens roosted at night?

[lankeela]

'now' almost 1 am

[wolf63]

I thought they went to bed too ~ if for no other reason to keep them safe from predators.

I live in a city centre - not many chickens but there is one tiny yappy yappy yappy mutt in the block of flats behind me. It may meet with an accident.

[wildwood]

Yea, they are usually asleep on a perch at that time. They sometimes wake when one of their mates stirs and wakes the whole lot. They soon go back to sleep, unless there is a disturbance like, light from somewhere, a strange noise, a cat or squirrel jumping on the night shelter - this is when the rooster, or the alpha hens will cackle to warn others of possible impending danger.

It is much easier being a dog... woof woof, and that'll be enough to see off any danger.