Chickens want to sleep on TOP of coop

[The Hopper Homestead]

We've had 4 delawares since about March, and in the last week or so they have been sleeping on top of the coop rather than in it. I used to force them in and lock them up but I've been letting them do what they want recently. Wondering if I should leave them be or not. Below are some facts about my set up...

Coop is located inside a 10x10 Stephenson steel dog kennel.
The bottom 3' of that is wrapped in aviary netting.
I have a bar running over top of the cage with chicken wire completely enclosing the top of the cage to make a full enclosed steel cage
I have a solar motion detecting light facing each direction that I test weekly.
I have a dog that is always in the area and im sure his scent is everywhere

I cleaned the coop after I noticed this since we live in central NC where it's been very hot, I attributed it to being hot in their house. I reduced the amount of shaving I put in it this time too. They seem happy up there to be honest

 

[Flockincrazy]

it maybe to hot in the coop for them if my run was done im sure my ducks would be sleeping in the pond and the chickens would be on the roosts in there run

 

[DobieLover]

We've had 4 delawares since about March, and in the last week or so they have been sleeping on top of the coop rather than in it. I used to force them in and lock them up but I've been letting them do what they want recently. Wondering if I should leave them be or not. Below are some facts about my set up...

Coop is located inside a 10x10 Stephenson steel dog kennel.
The bottom 3' of that is wrapped in aviary netting.
I have a bar running over top of the cage with chicken wire completely enclosing the top of the cage to make a full enclosed steel cage
I have a solar motion detecting light facing each direction that I test weekly.
I have a dog that is always in the area and im sure his scent is everywhere

I cleaned the coop after I noticed this since we live in central NC where it's been very hot, I attributed it to being hot in their house. I reduced the amount of shaving I put in it this time too. They seem happy up there to be honest

Unfortunately, your coop is WAAAAAY too small for 4 Delawares. You need a coop that is at least 16 sq ft with LOTS of ventilation. Forcing them to stay in that coop in your weather could literally kill them.
As much as you think your run is secure, it isn't. You single best predator deterrent is the dog if he is out 24/7.
I would start planning on building a proper sized and designed coop for your flock.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Unfortunately, your coop is WAAAAAY too small for 4 Delawares. You need a coop that is at least 16 sq ft with LOTS of ventilation. Forcing them to stay in that coop in your weather could literally kill them.
As much as you think your run is secure, it isn't. You single best predator deterrent is the dog if he is out 24/7.
I would start planning on building a proper sized and designed coop for your flock.

x2. Just from a glimpse it's obvious this is a prefab, and likely that tiny window is most, if not all, the ventilation (unless it's glass), which is inadequate. If you have a thermometer put it inside the coop before sundown and check how much hotter it is inside vs outside.

And unfortunately your run is not predator proof enough to my liking to advise that it'd be ok for them to sleep outside, unless your dog is always outdoors and is inclined to chase predators or alert to them. Chain link with netting and chicken wire isn't secure against smaller pests like rats, small predators like weasels or snakes, etc.