Chickens will not go in coop at night - tried everything I’ve found

[Rhonda Sue]

Hi everyone. I’ve been lurking here and finding all the answers I need without posting for more than 7 years, but I’m stuck and need help. I’m on my 3rd flock and 3rd coop (all built ourselves) due to moving several times. This the first time I’ve had trouble getting the chickens to go in at night.

What we’re tried in order:
1) when 1st moved into the coop they were locked in for 2 weeks, then allowed out with a temporary fence.
2) added a second screened in window
3) added 2 large windows
4) removed 1 of 2 roosts
5) placed on the roost at night (several times)
6) sprinkled bedding with poultry mite powder
7) added slats to the ramp (they started to slip as they’ve gotten larger)
8) locked chickens in for 2-3 days, then let out (this has been repeated several times)

At night they tend to huddle up together on the ground under or near the coop. During the day all day they go in and out. If we shine a light inside the coop through the window at night they all pile in.

We don’t have electricity in the coop and I really don’t want to have to add a light inside as I believe in natural daylight/winter break. Is there anything else I’m missing or should try? We’ve been fighting this for more than a month and am desperate for help. Thank you all so much for your knowledge and ideas.

 

[Who Rules The Roost]

I had the same problem. I put one of these battery operated light switch lights in the coop and after a couple nights no longer had to turn it on. It worked! It cost only a couple bucks. I bought them originally to use in my dark closet! I just placed it by the door way inside. Then after everyone was inside I just went outside and turned it off. Easy peasy. Hope this helps! Also, I just keep it in the coop now in case I need to turn the light on. It's pretty handy. Harbour Freight, Walmart, lots of places carry them.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!

How many birds total and high high up off the floor is your roost bar?

Also, I don't think you have enough ventilation up high in your coop.

 

[RojoMarz]

Where are you located? Maybe it's too hot inside the coop?

 

[WhatTheDuckingDuck]

I agree with ventilation. Isn’t it 1 sq ft of ventilation per bird? My coop is hardware cloth on 1 whole side for that purpose and they still get warm in there.

 

[Rhonda Sue]

Welcome to BYC!

How many birds total and high high up off the floor is your roost bar?

Also, I don't think you have enough ventilation up high in your coop.

Welcome to BYC!

How many birds total and high high up off the floor is your roost bar?

Also, I don't think you have enough ventilation up high in your coop.

10 birds total, probably 3’ off the floor of the coop. Before moving them out to the coop they were roosting on a small roost in their box in the garage. I don’t think they have roosted in the coop except when we put them up there. They have been on top the feeder and water bucket which is not that much lower. We have 2 screened in windows (one on each side, both about 1’ square) as high up as possible.

 

[Rhonda Sue]

Where are you located? Maybe it's too hot inside the coop?

We're in central WI (Wausau area)

 

[WhatTheDuckingDuck]

10 birds total, probably 3’ off the floor of the coop. Before moving them out to the coop they were roosting on a small roost in their box in the garage. I don’t think they have roosted in the coop except when we put them up there. They have been on top the feeder and water bucket which is not that much lower. We have 2 screened in windows (one on each side, both about 1’ square) as high up as possible.

Screen or hardware cloth? A predator will rip through a screen in a second. My house cats rip screens open on the weekly, I can’t imagine a hungry predator would pass up that easy of a meal.

 

[Rhonda Sue]

Screen or hardware cloth? A predator will rip through a screen in a second. My house cats rip screens open on the weekly, I can’t imagine a hungry predator would pass up that easy of a meal.

Good call; its hardware cloth (1 cm squares would be my best guess).

 

[Kiki]

I'm wondering if your roost bar is too high.

What's your weather like right now?