Chickens don't like their coop!

[nvdirtfreak]

Hello, I built a coop 2 years ago and my chickens last year were fine with it. It's about 6x8 feet with 8 nesting boxes and total 25 feet or so of roosting space for 10 chickens. Unfortunately, a loose dog got in the run (not the coop) and killed all of my chickens last year, so we reinforced the coop with electrical fencing and got new chickens this year. They seem to hate the coop, though - they will only go inside it to eat. They sleep outside, and have now started laying outside. I have had golf balls in some of the nesting boxes for a few weeks now, which worked well last year, and I am trying to make their "nesting spots" outside unfavorable to try and get them to move inside, but at this point the only thing left I can think of is to try locking them inside for a few days. It's been lows of 50ish and highs of 90ish, but this weekend is supposed to be considerably cooler with highs of only 60. I want to make sure they are comfortable using the coop before freezing weather starts. Any other ideas?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would start by locking them in at night, and do a thorough inspection of your coop, making sure there's not a reason for it, is it well ventilated, are your roosts the proper size and sanded, look for rodent, spiders, or snakes, there must be a reason they don't feel safe or comfortable in there.

 

[aart]

I would start by locking them in at night, and do a thorough inspection of your coop, making sure there's not a reason for it, is it well ventilated, are your roosts the proper size and sanded, look for rodent, spiders, or snakes, there must be a reason they don't feel safe or comfortable in there.

Ditto Dat^^