Chickens not using roost bars ?

[starri33]

Here's the pictures of my coop inside and out. The OSB panel seen to the back is
blocking off the nest boxes until they are ready to lay.

View attachment 1830375 View attachment 1830374 View attachment 1830385

It's a beautiful coop, while I am not a chicken, I'm claustrophobic just looking at it. As short as it is, and as low as the roosts are, the chickens are probably thinking, "why bother" any way you could add another 2' H onto that? I didn't see nestboxes, when you add them, you will probably end up with them sleeping in them. My TSC coop has little roosts like that, I'd go out at night and find my chicken that was in there sleeping between them. This is what they have now. The first rung starts at 15" off the floor, when we put them in, I had to go out and move them out of the nestboxes and up on the roost, I had to block off the boxes after they were done laying to convince them that the roost was where they belonged.

 

[kyron4]

Ya , it looks cramped but they all huddle together at one end leaving over 3/4 of the space open. The nest boxes are right behind the OSB board in the back of the coop. They're block off till they start to lay. There is a 3" 1X on end at the bottom of the boxes. Built the coop for my daughter, just tried to make it simple and utilitarian.

 

[kyron4]

Also, they free range over two acres all day and are only in the coop at night to sleep.

 

[aart]

Also, they free range over two acres all day and are only in the coop at night to sleep.

What will they do in winter when there's a foot of snow on the ground?

Low roofs/short coops have a number of issues.
Good ventilation should be well above their heads.
Such a low metal roof may have condensation issues in winter too.
Frostbite may more of an issue than with a higher roof.
Roosts lower than, or at same level as, nests will probably get you nest sleepers(poopers).

Now they may be fine in there, but just be aware of the possible problems.

 

[pennyJo1960]

What breed of birds please any silkies in that group mine do roost but took 3 weeks to teach them

 

[Mrs. K]

I had a coop very similar to this, except it was longer than wide. And it was closer to 3 feet tall, maybe 4 feet at the peak. It was basically a nightmare. Very difficult to catch birds, very difficult to clean, and often times they would not use the nest box, but rather that far corner where it was nearly impossible for me to reach.

The real reason you want them to roost, is so that the poop falls away from the bird during the night. They poop an amazing amount at night, and if they are squatting in it, it makes for dirty feathers, dirty eggs, and even skin irritation.

It sounds like you are handy, on one side, enclose the bottom walls, and cut the floor out. They can roost on that side, the other side can be used for nests.

If your daughter continues to enjoy this hobby, well this would make a perfect brooder or second coop, and yes, it is a bit scary how many of us have that second coop.

Mrs K

 

[starri33]

I had a coop very similar to this, except it was longer than wide. And it was closer to 3 feet tall, maybe 4 feet at the peak. It was basically a nightmare. Very difficult to catch birds, very difficult to clean, and often times they would not use the nest box, but rather that far corner where it was nearly impossible for me to reach.

The real reason you want them to roost, is so that the poop falls away from the bird during the night. They poop an amazing amount at night, and if they are squatting in it, it makes for dirty feathers, dirty eggs, and even skin irritation.

It sounds like you are handy, on one side, enclose the bottom walls, and cut the floor out. They can roost on that side, the other side can be used for nests.

If your daughter continues to enjoy this hobby, well this would make a perfect brooder or second coop, and yes, it is a bit scary how many of us have that second coop.

Mrs K

I have to admit to being guilty of that second coop. Started off with a 10 x 10 and 12 chickens, no sooner sunk the last nail and started designing a new one..lol. The old coop is now in service for broodies.

 

[gtaus]

Built the coop for my daughter, just tried to make it simple and utilitarian.

The chickens probably love it. IF you find you do have issues with the low roof, you could probably take off the existing roof, add 2 more feet to the walls, and put the roof back on. I originally wanted an elevated coop where the chickens could go under it for shade/protection, but I ended up going a different way. Also, I don't let my chickens free range as I live on a lake and we just have too many bald eagles and hawks overhead.

As for low roofs, this is my first year with laying hens and my 10 chicks are 9 weeks old and I am still learning myself. My coop has a roof peak at 8 1/2 feet and I have 2 roosting bars; one at 2 feet high and another at 4 feet high. So tonight, thinking about your coop, I checked on my girls and found them all in one corner, on the bedding, sleeping one on top another. The roosting bars have been installed less than a week, so I hope the girls will figure it out and start using them. But as for now, they could care less about the roosts in the coop. Go figure.

 

[kyron4]

What breed of birds please any silkies in that group mine do roost but took 3 weeks to teach them

2 buffs, 2 barred rock, 2 Rhode island reds, and 1 small white silkie

 

[kyron4]

I had a coop very similar to this, except it was longer than wide. And it was closer to 3 feet tall, maybe 4 feet at the peak. It was basically a nightmare. Very difficult to catch birds, very difficult to clean, and often times they would not use the nest box, but rather that far corner where it was nearly impossible for me to reach.

The real reason you want them to roost, is so that the poop falls away from the bird during the night. They poop an amazing amount at night, and if they are squatting in it, it makes for dirty feathers, dirty eggs, and even skin irritation.

It sounds like you are handy, on one side, enclose the bottom walls, and cut the floor out. They can roost on that side, the other side can be used for nests.

If your daughter continues to enjoy this hobby, well this would make a perfect brooder or second coop, and yes, it is a bit scary how many of us have that second coop.

Mrs K

Both ends of the coop open up, one side for cleaning one side for back of nests, which can be removed if needed. So far I've had no issues cleaning. The coop has a rather large ridge vent along with vent ports on the ends. I didn't want to invest a ton of time and money up front , not knowing how this would turn out. Once they start laying I should know if the height is an issue. They spent the first 8 weeks in a 4'x5'x2' pen in my barn so they seem to be comfortable with the space as it's all they have known.