Chickens roosting in trees instead of coop

[Jem1414]

Help! My babies (3) have taken to roosting in the tree at night instead of their coop. I had them in a small coop and they would go in at night without issue; this coop was small & they have outgrown so I wanted to move them into one with more room. For the first 2 nights I waited until they were "asleep" and moved them into the larger coop. This worked for 2 days, then they stopped going into their small coop all together and instead roosted in a large tree on the property. Needless to say getting them down is a chore and some nights I don't win the battle. I don't want them outside for obvious reasons....how do I stop this negative behavior and get them to go back into the coop at night instead of the tree? Help please!

 

[Hidrainja4]

First make sure there are no mites in the coop keeping them out. Second when you can get them all in the coop. Lock them in for three days with food and water. This might teach them this is home. Third get them to come into the coop with meal worms or other treats and only feed them those things inside the coop. Good Luck

 

[centrarchid]

I have better luck changing roosting habits by doing my business at time they start going to roost.

 

[aart]

Should have kept them locked in the new coop for a week to 'home' them.
Can still do that.

 

[bobbi-j]

If the coop has enough ventilation and is big enough for chickens, food and water, I’d lock them in for a week. If you can make an attached run for your coop, all the better. If your coop is too small or too hot to keep them in, and you can’t attach a run, I agree with Centrarchid and try to get them in as they go to roost. You need to figure out which method works best for you.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Pics of the new coop please so we can see if there is some obvious (to us) issue.

I agree they need homed to the coop by closing them in for an extended time. I also agree a secure run will help. Even if you want to range them there may be times(predators, bad weather) where that is not safe. It is always good to have a secure run big enough for extended stays if needed.

 

[Baumshell28]

Mine also refuse to roost in their coop And instead have chosen the Kumquat tree out in their run. Buuttt...as @bobbi-j suggested/mentioned, my coop adjoins my run and the run is 100% enclosed; top to bottom & 360 degrees

 

[Hidrainja4]

P.S. It took my husband and I almost two months to get them to roost on the lovely roosting bars in their new coop. Just last night I had to pick up only one chicken. I think she might be at the bottom of the social order. In July it was silly and dangerous, seven bird in one nesting box hot and panting instead of going to their new roost. Whatever your plan, give it two months for it to sink into their teeny tiny bird brains.