Chickens not roosting on the roost, pooping in all the wrong places!

[Sherielu]

I have 4 hens and a rooster living in my rabbit barn, they came in here when a weasel killed all their mates in the chicken coop. We fixed the coop and it is now tight and safe, but they will not go back. I accepted defeat and put in a roosting ladder and some nest boxes up high. Things were great for awhile but then a raccoon attacked them on their roost and killed a hen and the rooster decided that the roost is no longer safe and moved them to a spot on top of my rabbit cages. I have placed plastic and metal sheets to protect from poo getting on the rabbit but to no avail! Chicken poo is always ending up in the cages and I have to hose everything off daily. With cold weather coming I want to get them back on the roosts! I have since caught the raccoon so that is no longer and issue. I ordered some plastic bird spikes to try but they are pricey.

 

[589205]

You could try encouraging them to stay in their coop house again during the night by covering the door opening and keeping them in there to hang out for a day or 2, maybe a bit longer if need be but they should be able to feel safe roosting in there again if done right. Then once they feel comfortable being in the coop house again you could also maybe try hanging up some thin cloth sheet fabric or something that your chooks can easily walk in & out kind of like hanging door beads over the entryway for cover to act as a sort of predator deterrent. Just some suggestions

 

[Mrs. K]

Catch them, and lock them in the coop. Chickens get notions, but are willing for a new notion.

Do make sure your coop is tight - other coons will come back, @#$^%$&$&^% coons, I know!