8 week old chickens not venturing into upper portion of coop

[Lhasken]

Hello,

I have 6 chickens that are about 8 weeks old. Our coop is set up so that there is a bottom area with a roosting bar to the right and to the left there is a ramp to go into the upper more enclosed portion which has an area with a roosting bar and another section with 3 nesting boxes. I know I dont want them sleeping in their boxes but should they be roosting? Or atleast venturing up there without having to be put up there? I've not had chickens since I was younger so I am worrying about them always Haha. I've attached a picture of the coop for reference. Thanks in advance!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello,

I have 6 chickens that are about 8 weeks old. Our coop is set up so that there is a bottom area with a roosting bar to the right and to the left there is a ramp to go into the upper more enclosed portion which has an area with a roosting bar and another section with 3 nesting boxes. I know I dont want them sleeping in their boxes but should they be roosting? Or atleast venturing up there without having to be put up there? I've not had chickens since I was younger so I am worrying about them always Haha. I've attached a picture of the coop for reference. Thanks in advance!

Have they been taught how to navigate the ramp?
Sometimes it helps to have a nightlight in the coop to help them see to go in and get on the roost. However, sometimes the youngsters take some time before they will reliably roost at night.

 

[Lhasken]

Have they been taught how to navigate the ramp?
Sometimes it helps to have a nightlight in the coop to help them see to go in and get on the roost. However, sometimes the youngsters take some time before they will reliably roost at night.

I've put them up there and they have came down but never up one their own. I tried coaxing them with food tonight to no avail.
They have a night light too even

 

[aart]

Might want to reduce the angle of the ramp by putting something (about 12-16" high) under the lower end(might have to cut off part of the ramp so it will still fit).

How long have they been living in the coop/run?
Did you confine them to the coop portion for a week or so before allowing them into the run below? That can help 'home' them to the coop and want to return there.
Even then it can be hard to get them to coop up at dusk....but they'll learn with some coaxing.

That coop might be tight quarters for 6 adult birds.
As to the sleeping in the nests (typical in those coops)
here's the best solution I've seen to that issue:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535

 

[HenHouse4Life]

The ramp looks pretty steep, even for bigger chickens. It normally takes the young ones a couple days to settle/get used to their coop. It will probably happen in good time. We as humans get much more worried than the chickens do.

 

[Lhasken]

Might want to reduce the angle of the ramp by putting something (about 12-16" high) under the lower end(might have to cut off part of the ramp so it will still fit).

How long have they been living in the coop/run?
Did you confine them to the coop portion for a week or so before allowing them into the run below? That can help 'home' them to the coop and want to return there.
Even then it can be hard to get them to coop up at dusk....but they'll learn with some coaxing.

That coop might be tight quarters for 6 adult birds.
As to the sleeping in the nests (typical in those coops)
here's the best solution I've seen to that issue:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535

That's a good idea to reduce ramp slope that I had not thought of. And i did confine them to what I misunderstood as the "coop" portion because they will free range mostly and move into a bigger space in out barn soon so I thought literally the whole thing was the "coop". So no, I did not make them stay up there that may be why. But yes I do plan to move them to larger area that isnt quite ready. The coop actually says up to 8 which is just unbelievable to me

 

[Lhasken]

That's a good idea to reduce ramp slope that I had not thought of. And i did confine them to what I misunderstood as the "coop" portion because they will free range mostly and move into a bigger space in out barn soon so I thought literally the whole thing was the "coop". So no, I did not make them stay up there that may be why. But yes I do plan to move them to larger area that isnt quite ready. The coop actually says up to 8 which is just unbelievable to me

Sorry, forgot to say they've been on the coop for 2 maybe 3 weeks

 

[Lhasken]

The ramp looks pretty steep, even for bigger chickens. It normally takes the young ones a couple days to settle/get used to their coop. It will probably happen in good time. We as humans get much more worried than the chickens do.

Oh I know I worry more than them Haha but I just dont want anything to happen to them because of my silliness so I am probably going to stay worried till they are adults

 

[aart]

The coop actually says up to 8 which is just unbelievable to me

Typical manufacturers 'lies'.