Chickens Won't Return to the Coop at Night

[cochinswede]

Update: Thank you all for the assistance. A little light was installed and that was just what was needed for them.

Hi everyone,

Hope I can get some much needed help on this. We have ten English buff orpington chickens and two coops. One was gifted to us, and one - much larger than the gifted coop - we've built ourselves. The chicks had moved to the gifted coop (closer to the ground, a small ramp maybe 3 inches above ground) and lived there for no more than 2.5 weeks. They returned to the coop each night and we had very few problems with them returning to the coop at dusk. So few that all I would have to do is just close up and come back into the house. Unfortunately the coop didn't last as we noticed moisture and mold developing. The moment we noticed that, we finished the larger coop within the day and moved them to the new coop. Ventilation, tons of room, etc. It's up to chicken code. The new coop is above ground, so there's a 2.5-3 foot height to reach the entrance. The ramp was too steep initially for the chickens, and with some bricks we were able to raise the ramp and get 9 out of 10 to comfortably and quickly come down in the morning.

However, they absolutely refuse to go up to the coop either during the day for shelter, or to come in at night. They actually puddle together at the bottom of the coop on the opposite side of the entrance. We don't have a run yet, we free range them and that's fine, but I honestly don't know what happened for them to be so wary of the bigger coop. We left them in there initially for 3 days to imprint on the new coop but it hasn't worked. They don't have issues getting up the ramp either, I can coax them in with their favorite mealworms, but each night I'm having to physically take the chickens and put them at the bottom of the ramp so they can climb up, which makes no sense to me since they could easily take a step up to access the ramp. I've also seen them pile into the coop, change their mind and go back to the bottom of the coop again. Anyways...any help would be much appreciated. I've attached photos for reference.

This is the gifted coop

The new coop.

Rush hour for breakfast.

 

[fowltemptress]

Is there any ventilation in those coops? Lack of ventilation can make coops extremely uncomfortable for chickens.

 

[DonyaQuick]

Keep at it - training can take a bit! I’ve used remote controlled, battery powered hanging lights in coops to help “lure” pullets into the right place when training them where to roost. Then I turn the light off and shut the door when they’re all in. It can take a couple weeks or more when they are really stubborn.

Other than just difficulty adjusting to change, it’s also worth checking whether there is a more specific reason they don’t want to roost there. For example: uncomfortable or awkward perches, ventilation too close to where they sit, etc.

 

[cochinswede]

Is there any ventilation in those coops?

The gifted coop, no, it had very poor ventilation which is why we moved them out almost immediately. The larger one yes. We’ve spared no expense with making sure this coop has what they need.

 

[Gramma Chick]

take that board that is the front of the old coop . And put it in front of the new coop. cut down so it goes over the opening . or paint the new coop with the brown color .

 

[nuthatched]

Is there any windows?

 

[cochinswede]

Is there any windows?

Yes. The longer side of the new coop has a large window/door (not pictured) and ventilation. The back of the coop has the same kind of door as the front as well.

 

[SpudMahoney]

Whenever rehoming hens, you have to lock them in for 48 hours at a minimum or they won't take to the coop. Put feed, water, roosts, and nesting area. The best time to migrate them is at dusk/night when they are low energy. Guaranteed success.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Most people won't recommend lights but I always have a light on inside my coop during roosting, lock up. Not only for them to see thier way in, but for ME to see when I go out the lock them up. It helps to reduce the time that they would otherwise mill around while the sun is setting. As soon as it's lighter in the coop than it is outside, they go in. Maybe you don't go out to lock them up though? I've never done it any other way unless I'm not home for lock up (then I leave the light off.) You can choose to do light at lock up temporarily, until they are trained well enough that it doesn't matter anymore.

 

[BDutch]

It seems the chickens think the slats on the chicken ladder are their roosts.

Maybe this is the solution:
- add a low pop door like in the old small coop (new entrance)
- move the chicken ladder to the inside of the new coop as extra roost space

There are easy to install automatic pop doors like the chicken cozy I bought last year: