Bedtime Behavior

[shayhillman]

My 4 chickens, 2 pullets and 2 cockerels, no longer want to sleep in their hen house inside their coop. They are 3 months old and now want to sleep on top of my bar table outside. My birds free range all day and normally put themselves to bed in their hen house but this stopped 2 days ago. I clean their coop and hen house every 2 weeks so dirtiness is not a problem. I literally have to put them to bed in their hen house now. Anyone have any suggestions on how to stop this behavior?

 

[rosemarythyme]

How hot is it day/night where you're at? How well ventilated is the coop? Any photos?

 

[shayhillman]

How hot is it day/night where you're at? How well ventilated is the coop? Any photos?

I didn’t think about that possibility. I live in West Texas. Days are 90-100s and nights are 70s right now. There is a little window on the hen house I leave open and I leave the hen house door open since I lock the coop at night. They usually huddle together at the open door and sleep. In the morning, I open the coop door and they free range all day until bedtime. Should I let them free range less until they get older and then try again? I have attached pictures.

 

[3KillerBs]

Even though you've set it in beautiful shade, that coop needs a lot more ventilation, especially at the peak of the roof both heat and ammonia rise -- making the coop uncomfortable for the chicks.

Maybe pull off the siding in a big triangle under the peak at both sides and replace it with hardware cloth?

In steamy central NC I decided that my coop had enough ventilation when I could put my head and shoulders into it and find it no warmer than it was outside even on the hottest day.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Even though you've set it in beautiful shade, that coop needs a lot more ventilation, especially at the peak of the roof both heat and ammonia rise -- making the coop uncomfortable for the chicks.

x2. The coop is likely retaining heat and holding it for hours into the night, making it uncomfortably hot inside, so they don't want to go all the way in to sleep.

Best place I can see to open it up for ventilation is on the wall facing into the mini run, as the roof over it can help shelter it from wind/rain. I.e. replace the section outlined in purple with wire mesh:

 

[026TB4U]

I have the same coop from TSC so I am following this thread. Please post what modifications you make, I am interested.

By the way, did you make the run or did you buy it?

Thanks.

 

[shayhillman]

I have the same coop from TSC so I am following this thread. Please post what modifications you make, I am interested.

By the way, did you make the run or did you buy it?

Thanks.

We made it. We cut the front door piece out and attached it to the front of the new 4x4 section. If you are interested in building on, I highly recommend using 1x2s so you can place the screen between them. My husband used 2x2s and then I added a 1x2 on top to cover the screen edges. I would also add a lid to open and close on the front section and possibly a roof to give more protection from rain. I would be happy to send you close up pictures if you want.