2 of my chickens did not go into their coop!

[chixcoop]

Tonight I went out to close the door to my chicken coop, and usually the chickens are all inside the coop, but tonight there were 2 hens still on top of the coop when I went to shut them up. The reason why they may have done this is because yesterday the chickens could not go into their coop, because their door shut because it was not properly secured. Last night when I went out I thought that there were 2 raccoons, but it turned out that they were chickens who could not go into their coop, and were roosting on top of their coop. I thought that was a one time occurance, but apparently not after looking what happened tonight. I also do not have any roosting bars in their coop, so could they feel that the night time is safe as long as they are up high on top of their coop, because they have not really seen that many predators and they may like it up there. They never have had a problem with this! They have been going inside their cooop for 4 months now every night no problem. Could it be true that their need for a roost is that great? I am going to try to build a roost for them tomorrow.

 

[sourland]

Build a roost and force them to sleep in the coop. Outside they are vulnerable to every predator.

 

[chixcoop]

Two hens were still in the same spot last night! I put them back in their spot, but how long will it take for them to get the message?!

 

[chickens r life]

Depends on the birds... Some get it after 2 nights and some get it after a week. If I were you I would put a roost inside the coop and just keep helping them inside at night until they get it. They will start to understand eventually.

 

[chixcoop]

there is a roost in there coop, 3 2x4s

 

[aart]

How many birds?
How big is coop(feet by feet)
How much roost length(feet)?
How's your ventilation? .....Might be hot in there.

 

[chixcoop]

How many birds?
How big is coop(feet by feet)
How much roost length(feet)?
How's your ventilation? .....Might be hot in there.

There are 6 hens, barred rocks.
Their outside run area is 8ftx12ft. Their inside area (roost, egg boxes, food, and water) is 4ftx12ft
Their are 3 roosts like stairs (2x4s)going up that are 4 feet wide
There is not any ventilation, but there are 2 windows half open for the ventilation of the coop. I let them out in the day when it gets hot in the coop, but I don't think it is hot in the night. I notice that it is still hot when I go in their coop, so the windows may not be enough.

 

[aart]

Quote: Can you post some pics of your coop inside and out?

Probably want to plan on adding some ventilation up high for winter.

Just keep putting them in the coop, they'll probably get the idea pretty soon.

 

[chixcoop]

Here are some pictures of my coop. The area above is 12x8