Chickens not sleeping in coop

[ChickenJV12]

And also please confirm if you have 15 or 25 birds

K tomorrow

 

[ChickenJV12]

Ok everyone, so I went down from 9 chickens to 2 chickens in a few nights just from placing them on the roosts. Apparently, they just didn't know the coop was "the place" to sleep.

 

[KinnaChickie]

see I cant agree fully with everyone. yes size of the coop does matter as they want their own little space, however some chicks just don't like to be closed up. I have 48 total birds, 5 which are ducks. they all have plenty of room in the coops I have yet some like to sleep on top of the hogs pen, others sleep in my shed. believe it or not on the shelf and others like to sleep up the tree. we have time and time again trained them to sleep there and they just don't. never had issues with the age, as they ranged from 2yrs to 6months. they all get along fine matter fact. just like our lone silkie, I put her in the coop, she hops down and nestles in hay on the ground and is content. if they aren't being attacked, acting differently or having issues, I don't see why not let them just be chickens.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Because eventually, something will kill them during the night when sleeping outside.

 

[Perris]

but they, like we, all gotta die sometime; sometimes they're killed in the coop if something gets in, or we kill them, or they suffer a long and possibly painful death from disease that we may or may not recognize and may or may not treat, with all that that entails. There are no simple right answers here.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

When chickens won't go in a coop there's something wrong with the coop. Usually it's too many birds, but folks don't want to hear that answer. They all want to follow that silly 3-4 square foot per bird recommendation which is for factory birds that are debeaked and no one cares about.

Chickens need way more room to feel safe and comfortable in a coop. Why would they choose to be out in the elements and available to the predators? It's because they don't feel safe in the coop. That's the simple answer. I have weird quirky birds that prefer to be alone. In my shed those birds can find somewhere to go. No one ever sleeps outside ever.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If you want to be a successful chicken herder then sit in your back yard at roosting time and carefully observe the pecking order intimidations that are going on. The pecking order is never more obvious as it is at a chicken's bed time.

 

[KinnaChickie]

When chickens won't go in a coop there's something wrong with the coop. Usually it's too many birds, but folks don't want to hear that answer. They all want to follow that silly 3-4 square foot per bird recommendation which is for factory birds that are debeaked and no one cares about.

Chickens need way more room to feel safe and comfortable in a coop. Why would they choose to be out in the elements and available to the predators? It's because they don't feel safe in the coop. That's the simple answer. I have weird quirky birds that prefer to be alone. In my shed those birds can find somewhere to go. No one ever sleeps outside ever.

we are going to have to agree to disagree. it irks my soul when people say chickens don't feel safe in a coop that's why they don't sleep there. I call bs...for the simple fact I watch each and every one of my babies from 2 years to 6 months and their nightly routines. there is no fussing. no flapping of wings knocking others off, no pecking to move each other. they have more than enough room and the few just choose not to. we as humans fail to realize we all have certain things to be able to sleep as well as the chickens do. some have a fan, some stick one foot out the covers, others sleep with lots of pillows. same as them, some love the nestling warm feeling of hay, others love the high perch. and more over some just like the outside of a high tree. its a natural thing for them to be comfortable and if we force them to do what we want, it leads to pecking orders not necessary, more chick poo and less cooperation with chicks who do happen to get picked on. I say let them live the way they are happiest

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

we are going to have to agree to disagree. it irks my soul when people say chickens don't feel safe in a coop that's why they don't sleep there. I call bs...for the simple fact I watch each and every one of my babies from 2 years to 6 months and their nightly routines. there is no fussing. no flapping of wings knocking others off, no pecking to move each other. they have more than enough room and the few just choose not to. we as humans fail to realize we all have certain things to be able to sleep as well as the chickens do. some have a fan, some stick one foot out the covers, others sleep with lots of pillows. same as them, some love the nestling warm feeling of hay, others love the high perch. and more over some just like the outside of a high tree. its a natural thing for them to be comfortable and if we force them to do what we want, it leads to pecking orders not necessary, more chick poo and less cooperation with chicks who do happen to get picked on. I say let them live the way they are happiest

How big is your coop? Dark and stuffy coops are comfortable either.

It's fine if you want to disagree with me, but you don't need to rude using the term BS.

 

[KinnaChickie]

How big is your coop? Dark and stuffy coops are comfortable either.

It's fine if you want to disagree with me, but you don't need to rude using the term BS.

I'm sorry if you took me as being rude. I'm far from that hun. So I will try not to be so harsh next time. Two coops are converted 8x10 sheds. I have to check dems on homemade one. Shrugs it's cozy but i guess they just don't like it