Chickens not roosting in the coop

[chickens really]

Venting/drafts would be a good thing to check.
I don't care how cold it is out....no one sleeps in the nests.

Your tough........Crazy Alice will...I don't care...

 

[Giggles73]

Venting/drafts would be a good thing to check.
I don't care how cold it is out....no one sleeps in the nests.

so no drafts and it has plenty of ventilation, they were roosting before the cold weather came. I am putting in a new roosting bar this weekend so we will see if that helps. But I honestly think they just like it. I have 4 hens and the coop is 80sf so its plenty big for them.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I give my chickens the option of roosts. They seem to prefer the 2 up on a 2x4, and many refuse to sleep on the 4 up. Could also be that the 4 isn't wide enough for a Cochin. Some of mine sleep on a flat top of pens, and I allow sleeping on top of my nestboxes, some choose that instead of roosting.

 

[Giggles73]

I give my chickens the option of roosts. They seem to prefer the 2 up on a 2x4, and many refuse to sleep on the 4 up. Could also be that the 4 isn't wide enough for a Cochin. Some of mine sleep on a flat top of pens, and I allow sleeping on top of my nestboxes, some choose that instead of roosting.

My nesting boxes actually protrude out from the front of my coop, also weird they choose there to sleep, my new roost will be the 2" up of the 2x4 and I plan to add a ladder to get up to it with a "shelf" area. maybe once I do that they will "move on up". I will also add a few vents because when I added the 10x16 run the builder blocked part of the vent on that side.

This is my first year with my girls so it seems that it is a continual learning process to get it right. But I got my run all wrapped and straw bales stacked against the back side (windiest side) of my coop and the perimeter of the run/coop to help as well.

 

[aart]

Your tough

Yeah, I'm sooo mean.

so no drafts and it has plenty of ventilation, they were roosting before the cold weather came. I am putting in a new roosting bar this weekend so we will see if that helps. But I honestly think they just like it. I have 4 hens and the coop is 80sf so its plenty big for them.

Is that you coop in your avatar?
Is the coop alone 80sqft...or the whole coop and run?
Would you post some pics of the inside of coop?
That would offer the best clues to a solution.

 

[Giggles73]

Yeah, I'm sooo mean.

Is that you coop in your avatar?
Is the coop alone 80sqft...or the whole coop and run?
Would you post some pics of the inside of coop?
That would offer the best clues to a solution.

that was my first coop (aka crappy), I have since had a 8x10 coop and 10x16run built. I will see if I can get a picture of the inside tonight when I get home. Pictures of outside to come...

 

[Giggles73]

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's a nice looking coop. Love the color.

 

[aart]

That's a nice looking coop. Love the color.

Ditto Dat^^^
Plenty of space.
You may have to cover nests to deter their sleeping in them...
...or move them from nest to roost after dark for a few nights.
That may get them message across.

 

[Giggles73]

Ditto Dat^^^
Plenty of space.
You may have to cover nests to deter their sleeping in them...
...or move them from nest to roost after dark for a few nights.
That may get them message across.

I have tried moving them. so I guess the better question is, is there any reason not to let them snuggle in the boxes? Personally I don't care about the clean up aspect and they aren't laying sooo...no harm no foul? pun intended LOL