Coop issues

[Cellomama2]

We had a rough start to chicken owning and I've now added three new batches of chickens to the flock we had left. The first group figured out the coop pretty easily without having lock them in for any amount of time. Three bantam Ameraucanas from the second group and three Silkies and a Swedish flower cross from the third group are not getting the coop idea. I've been going out and putting them in every night but I would really just like to go out and close the door. From reading other posts, I know not having them locked in the coop for a few days was most likely the issue but I guess I was kind of hoping they'd figure it out. My question is how do I go about keeping them in the coop? Would I keep them all in or just the seven that aren't getting it? I'm worried about keeping them all in the coop together since the pecking order is still being worked out even though they've been together for about a week.

The other issue I'm having is they don't want to roost on the roosting poles we have in the coop. We used various sized tree branches from our yard and I get that they might want to sleep on the floor together for warmth since it's getting cold out but none of them have roosted since going into the coop and they all lay right in front of the door. It smells horrible. The coop is more than big enough for them and we rigged a small flash light to face the ceiling in the back of the coop so they'd have some light to follow back there but that didn't work either. Climbing into the coop and physically putting them on the roosting bars didn't help either. I can't put the depth of shavings by the door as I can farther back because of a design flaw when we built the coop. Everything just falls out since there is no depth to hold the shavings in. Live and learn. I just want them away from the door so they aren't laying in their own poop all night. Any ideas?

I have 17 chickens, from almost three months to about 10 months. The run is completely enclosed and is 18'x12'x10' the coop is in an L shape made from 4'x8' sheets of plywood. The floor of the coop is covered with pine bedding. (and yes I hate the color, maybe they do too)


The door where they sleep
The back where I wish they would (There are nesting boxes just to the right of
this picture now that two have finally started laying in!)
Raised off the ground

 

[venymae]

Younger or more timid chickens are often prevented from entering the coop at night by older or more dominant hens. It is also common for younger chickens to not roost, most will eventually figure it out.

 

[Cellomama2]

That makes sense but what can I do about them being bullies?

 

[Clucksworth12]

Some chickens often fight for certain roosting spots and keep others off of them. I suggest spreading the poles out so they all can fit.

 

[venymae]

Not much until your new girls work themselves into a proper position as flock memebers. You may be locking them up for a few more weeks, but it will eventually desist.

 

[Cellomama2]

Thank you

 

[Folly's place]

How big is your coop? Seventeen birds will need @ 70 sq. ft. inside if possible.
Silkies don't fly much at all, and will be down on the floor probably.
For the problem of litter depth; could you frame a small box at the door, so the rest of the interior can have deeper bedding, and the door is still clear? Rather than a board across at the door, framing to block shavings further inside the coop. I'm not being very clear here, am I? Anyone else?
Snow and snow load; you will be swearing and shoveling out the run unless it's covered. I also wonder about the coop with it's flat roof, and snow.
Mary

 

[Cellomama2]

Sorry I haven't been on in a while. The inside of the coop is 64 sq. ft. so I guess it is slightly small if it should be 70. I was thinking about doing something like a frame, so I do get what you are saying, for the shavings so I'll just have to get my husband to add on again I was saying the same thing about the coop roof as he was building it as well as how we were going to do proper ventilation, which I still don't think we have, and he swears that flat roof was cheaper to build and the snow on top of the coop will help hold in the heat. I guess it will be an interesting winter.

 

[Folly's place]

I hope it's a very very strong flat roof, or that he'll be out there removing the snow before it collapses! Mary

 

[Cellomama2]

I'm sure that will be my job as well. I do all the work and my hubby just eats the eggs.

On a better note I was surprised to find the silkies an the flower crosses actually in the coop last night so now, if this keeps up, I will only have the three bantam ameraucanas avoiding the coop. They are also avoiding me since they have decided to take up residence on top of the coop at night where I can't reach them. They better not start laying up there too!