Chickens sleeping on roof?! How to dsiscourage this?!

[fushalilly]

My chickens sleep on their roof at night, so I have to go out, pick them up, place them in their coop, and lock them in. How do I get them to sleep in their coop? They arent getting the picture.

 

[Davaroo]

Withold feeding after noon and just before dusk, feed them inside the coop. As they are scarfing down the evening grub, close the coop up with them inside. After a week of this they'll associate dusk with the coop and you should have little trouble after that.

 

[hinkjc]

They should be penned up for a couple weeks until they get used to their coop as the safe place to sleep.

Jody

 

[Kanchii]

squirt them with a hose?

 

[seismic wonder2]

cut a hole in the roof and they'll plop right in there!

I'm in one of those moods today.

 

[Denece&Lacey]

Thats funny I cant imagine them sleeping on the roof!!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Quote:
That's the best way.

 

[kodiakchicken]

Quote:
Take away their ladder?

ps - sorry, it's been one of those weeks!

 

[patandchickens]

Teach your dog to sleep on the roof

Sorry, couldn't resist <g>

You might see if you can figure out why they prefer things al fresco. Is the coop too dark, too smelly, insufficiently airy and ventilated? Did something scary happen to them in there, once? Perhaps they do not like your roost bar, or have trouble getting up onto it?

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Tutter]

I once had a flock who were more than happy to roost on a short fence, if left out too late. So we started bribing them in before it got to be dusk, and eventually they got the idea.

Of course, they were being led by some Australorps, which seem to enjoy being out later than buff orpingtons and barred rocks. They are wonderful birds, and I'm getting another half dozen in my June chick order, but they aren't always the best influence on the rest of the flock!

I think bribing them in with a treat, before dusk sets well in, will work. Good luck!

Oh, I just read Elderoo's post; excellent way to do it!