Chickens Sleeping Outside at Night

[Artichoke Lover]

What are the measurements for it? And how many hens do you have? I agree it needs more ventilation but sometimes they won’t roost inside if there isn’t enough space.

 

[Just Don]

I suggest round dowels for the roost it better than square ones feels more like a tree limb.

 

[aldarita]

Any chance there are mice bothering them at night?

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you! I've never trained them to go in their coop at night, I've just always let them sleep outside on the roost. Do I need to train them?

Not if you're satisfied with them being in the run in all the weather and seasons you experience. (Putting your location in your profile is helpful because climate matters).

My new Open Air coop build is essentially a roofed run with a windbreak at one end because I live in a hot climate.

 

[H-B-O]

Also I would try in printing them again. ( Keep them locked up in the coop for a week then let them out.) they may go back in to there house bc they know it’s where they sleep. Also if you don’t have a roost inside you should get one chickens like being off the ground they feel safe and secure when they are in a roost.

 

[3KillerBs]

We live in SW Arizona. Their run provides plenty of shade. I give them a fan during the day in the summer and had a heat lamp during the winter.

So that's essentially an open-air coop and they like it.

The heat lamp isn't necessary for fully-feathered, adult chickens unless you get extended periods of below-zero temperatures.

 

[Kellow1]

I'm a new chicken mom. My chickens sleep outside of their coop, in the secure run, on a roost. They've never shown any interest in going inside at night...?

I believe that this is something that must be taught to your chickens.

 

[Carolyn23]

They most likely do not like something in that coop. Maybe it's the shavings, the lack of roosting place, no nest boxes or they don't feel safe. (Is there a crack somewhere) Try or change some of these. Maybe a smaller entrance.

I would not leave a door open if you have coyotes etc. We lost 3 chickens that way.

 

[danielle2003]

I suggest round dowels for the roost it better than square ones feels more like a tree limb.

Their roosts are rounded. I agree, not to mention, I would think it might hurt their feet .

 

[rosemarythyme]

But it is weird they are choosing to sleep in their run perches rather than their dark coup perches. I dont think it's too hot in their inside coup.

If it's too stuffy, too dark, too hot, they will not want to use the coop.

Have you taken an actual temperature measurement inside the coop vs outside?

Can they clearly see inside the coop at dusk when light is low?