Do hens HAVE to sleep in coop???

[PlatinumEggs]

I have 2 pullets (sum total of what I have) who refuse to sleep in the coop, even though they go in to lay eggs where they’re supposed to, and to eat & drink. It’s getting cold (close to freezing) & yet they sleep on this roosting area I have in the run. Afraid I should’ve closed them up at night in coop when I first got them 3 mos ago; by now it’s too late (I think) to break habit. Never had this problem with previous generations. Will they survive in, say, 30-40 deg weather???? God bless this website!!!!!

 

[SueT]

They will survive cold temps, but what about predators?

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Why is there roosting area in the pen? Id remove those roost

 

[rosemarythyme]

Never too late to retrain them. You can try removing the roost in the run, or just manually put them inside the coop nightly until they figure out that's what you want.

 

[3KillerBs]

Will they survive in, say, 30-40 deg weather????

Where are you located?

I have an open air style coop in central NC and my birds are fine because it's arranged so that they're never in the wind.

Can you show us photos of your setup?

 

[aart]

Will they survive in, say, 30-40 deg weather????

Probably, if they are protected from wind and precipitation.

Never too late to retrain them. You can try removing the roost in the run, or just manually put them inside the coop nightly until they figure out that's what you want.

This^^^

Is the coop have plenty of ventilation?

 

[Silexian]

I have covered runs with roost in them. I added the roost, thinking that they could use them during the hot summer months. Most of my chickens, now use these roost year round. I figure they know their comfort tolerances better than I do.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I have a few gals that roost outside of the coop. Some on branches (usually the youngest male joins them there) and 3 that go between the coop roof and the run roof.

I don't usually move mine unless it's heavy wind or snow or under 20°F

 

[SmiYa0126]

If your run is predator proof and doesn't have drafts they will be fine.