Chickens prefer to roost in the run

[AmeliaBedelia]

We have a pretty secure run (hardware cloth or wooden walls, hardware cloth ceiling). Some of the chickens prefer to sleep out there, even when its raining. I usually lock up the run, but leave the coop door open so the ladies can let themselves out in the morning at dawn.

Rather than fight them on it/locking everyone in the coop, I was wondering if I should just add a solid roof to part of the run? Or should I leave well enough alone? (An automatic door was not in our budget last time I checked prices.)

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

P.S. - live in zone 7b, so mostly we deal with hot weather issues. We do get a few nights of actual "cold" though each year.

 

[3KillerBs]

Could you show us photos of your setup along with the dimensions?

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

I don't have any photos and I'm too lazy to go out in the cold at the moment, but it is approximately 7x7 and 6 to 7 feet tall, and they are only locked in it at night. They free range in the yard with the guard dog during the day. We basically built a small aviary (similar set up to bird habitats at a zoo) and attached the coop so it's all in one. Two sides are wood and two are hardware cloth, as is the ceiling. Full sized door so we can get in to clean. We mainly just added it so the ladies had some secure outdoor access in the early mornings, since we attend to our human children first.

We only have 5 hens, so it works for us. The two marans have decided they are too cool for the coop though, and only voluntarily go in there to use the nesting box or if it's sleeting or something. They prefer to roost in the run.

 

[3KillerBs]

I don't have any photos and I'm too lazy to go out in the cold at the moment, but it is approximately 7x7 and 6 to 7 feet tall, and they are only locked in it at night. They free range in the yard with the guard dog during the day. We basically built a small aviary (similar set up to bird habitats at a zoo) and attached the coop so it's all in one. Two sides are wood and two are hardware cloth, as is the ceiling. Full sized door so we can get in to clean. We mainly just added it so the ladies had some secure outdoor access in the early mornings, since we attend to our human children first.

We only have 5 hens, so it works for us. The two marans have decided they are too cool for the coop though, and only voluntarily go in there to use the nesting box or if it's sleeting or something. They prefer to roost in the run.

That sounds like a lovely facility for them.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's up to you. If you feel the run is secure enough, there's no reason they must sleep inside a coop. Though generally when birds choose not to use the coop, there's a reason for it - lack of space, ventilation, light, presence of pests, etc.

 

[Alaskan]

It's up to you. If you feel the run is secure enough, there's no reason they must sleep inside a coop. Though generally when birds choose not to use the coop, there's a reason for it - lack of space, ventilation, light, presence of pests, etc.

X2

But I would be tempted to roof the run... but then I REALLY like roofed runs.

 

[NatJ]

...hardware cloth ceiling... wondering if I should just add a solid roof to part of the run? Or should I leave well enough alone?

only voluntarily go in there... if it's sleeting or something. They prefer to roost in the run.

It's probably best if they sleep under a roof when it rains or sleets, so a roof over the area where they sleep might be a good idea.

Oh, and I like your user name

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

It's probably best if they sleep under a roof when it rains or sleets, so a roof over the area where they sleep might be a good idea.

Oh, and I like your user name

Thanks! That's actually the names of the two rebel chickens, haha. I could barely tell them apart, so they needed names that went together. So they are Amelia and Bedelia.

Yeah, I think I will try cleaning out the coop extra well in case there is an issue there, maybe rearrange the perches in case that's what's offensive, and also brainstorm the best way to add an overhang over part of the run. I don't think I want to completely roof it, since it is already shaded and a roof could trap heat in the summer, but I could make part of it more protective in case the silly ladies want to stay out while it's raining.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Zone 8A. Many of my birds, particularly late Spring to early fall, prefer to sleep outside the hen house, on the hen house door, and on the hen house roof.

Unless its very windy, or a cold rain, or both. Then they go inside.

While the 30 degree temps you and I have been sharing this past week (and tonight, 29, woohooo!) aren't "cold" for chickens, in combination with the winds we've been having, and moisture, its a recipe for frostbite. My birds went inside my well ventilated, not drafty, coop. If yours stayed out, there may be a concern with the coop - size, ventilation, etc. Pictures would help.

I think its supposed to be dry and mostly cloudless tomorrow?