Another "our chickens are boycotting the coop" thread

[Mike521]

@avjudge yep that's correct, the two front windows are just for light and appearance, they don't open.

I attached another pic here from amazon's product listing (that's where we bought the coop) showing the sliders in the back.

@rosemarythyme we're on Long Island in NY, the temps lately have been around 20 - 30ish, with sporadic days here and there going up to 40. But in general most of January was below freezing. About prevailing wind, in general most of our days are only a light breeze, I'm honestly not sure the main direction.. Sometimes we also get very windy nights - we were having one when I went out and partially-closed the sliders a few weeks ago, and I think that coincides with right around when they started sleeping outside, so I think you're right about the ventilation. I had completely forgotten that I did that. It was also right around when they started laying, so I focused on the laying as the main thing that changed. Some of their personalities changed a lot after they started laying

@aart Amazon's product page lists the dimensions at 37.6"L x 48.58"W x 51.22"H

I agree the coop is small, and I have other issues with it as well, which is why we're going to replace it in the spring. But it's always been this size, and they only just recently started sleeping outside, so I think their preference is due to something that changed

I'm going to start by opening the sliders tonight based on what @rosemarythyme suggested about ventilation. I don't love the idea of enclosing them in the coop for x amount of days, being that the coop is so small, it just seems cruel. I'll keep putting them inside at night and hope that they change their minds, and if not, hopefully they'll like the new coop when we get it. That one is going to be a home depot shed converted into a coop, so will have a lot more room (and will be easier for me to clean)

 

[SandyRiverChick]

What is the roost bar like? If you didn't change it up, I know that the pre-fabs come with very inadequate roost bars. The gals like to lay down on the bar and they can't when it's super small. Replace with a 2x4. Thankfully you've got spring coming and you're already planning to replace the coop (or dramatically enhance exisiting.) It's really cute but it's better off used as a brooder inside a bigger coop.

 

[linguini]

The dimension is essentially 3 x 4 for 6 chickens, not enough space 6 grown up chickens, and if you have any bullies in the coop, it may explain the behavior.

We have plenty of space for our flock, when we adopted one 8-year old hen from our friend to integrate with our flock of 10 (1-4 year olds), she chose to roost outside every night, because she was bullied by most. I had to carry her in every night until I realized that she is a better flyer than all other ones, and put in a high roosting bar that only she and one other friendly hen was able to fly up to, that solved the problem!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I could be wrong, since I am just going off the picture, but those look like fixed, not openable windows.

Yes, but I ask as I've guessed wrong. So rather than assume, it's better to know, especially when troubleshooting.

@rosemarythyme we're on Long Island in NY, the temps lately have been around 20 - 30ish, with sporadic days here and there going up to 40. But in general most of January was below freezing.

So cold, but definitely not too cold for chickens to handle. Also the vents look well above their heads given the low roost placement so leaving them open shouldn't cause a draft as long as winds aren't blowing diagonally down through them.

As a point of reference my top roost is sandwiched between 2 windows, and we don't close them unless we have sideways storm driven winds (very rare, it's happened like twice in 8 years). Even at 12F the chickens will still choose to smoosh themselves right up against the open windows.

I'm going to start by opening the sliders tonight based on what @rosemarythyme suggested about ventilation. I don't love the idea of enclosing them in the coop for x amount of days, being that the coop is so small, it just seems cruel. I'll keep putting them inside at night and hope that they change their minds

Agreed you don't have space to lock them in there during days and that would cause more issues than it would solve. So while it's a pain to have to put them in manually, maybe that in conjunction with opening the vents back up would get them to change their minds, at least enough to get through the winter with this coop.

 

[ChookaPete]

How tall is the coop versus where they're roosting? I know some coops doesn't have high enough roosts so the chickens will roost outside if it's higher (and feels safer).

This exactly. My coop's perch (a big long tree branch) is about 1.6 metres above the ground, with a long ladder to climb up to it (and doubles as a second perch).

Most of my chickens took to it by the second night, except two that got lost on the way to the new coop and resorted to a patio chair! But by the third night they were all there.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I know you've had really cold weather, but I'd still check for mites. At night, with a white paper towel.