I have a bit of a dilemma. I have six chickens that were born in May 2012. Since the start of laying their eggs (Oct), they no longer want to sleep in their coop, which is located within their run. Their coop is small but plenty of run for six. There is a light in the coop that goes on from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and again from 3:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. They no longer use the nesting boxes that are located in the coop so we installed nesting boxes in the run, which they love and use all the time. They seem to love their run, but not their coop. Coop gets cleaned weekly and have a good three inches of bedding, and three areas to roost. They use to use their coop every night and put themselves to bed, but not since they started laying their eggs. They would rather sleep on the roof of the coop or on a perch in the run. We've covered most of the run with plastic to shelter them from the wind. We left small uncovered areas of run on both the south and west facing sides of the run. They seem quite happy and have everything they need within the coop/run. We're getting 4-5 eggs a day. I'm especially concerned this week as the weather is suppose to be down close to 0 degrees. Their run has a polycarbonate corrugated roof so they stay plenty dry. Their feeder and heated water is located within their run. They free range for a couple of hours every day except when it snows... they hate the snow. They stay within their run where it is dry. Does anyone see any problem with their sleeping arrangements given the weather conditions? My chickens seem to have an independent streak and will sleep where they want to sleep. We've tried putting them back in the coop every night to no avail. Perhaps they know better? Looking forward to your responses and advice. Thanks!!
Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard. If the coop is dark inside from 7am until 3pm, that could be why they want to lay outside. I have my timer turn on a light at 4:30am and stays on until 5pm, unless it is sunny out, then I turn it off. If you want them to lay in the coop you need to take away the boxes outside. A couple of fake eggs inside may help give them the idea. Since the weather is going to be biter cold, I would make sure they go inside. Put their feed and water inside as well.
Howdy from Kansas, chickenheads, and ! Pleased you joined our flock! Hope you work out your problem - sorry I don't have any advice. Good luck to you!
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan I would also check your coop carefully for mites - birds will avoid a coop that is mite-infested. If it is clean, try closing your hens inside the coop for a week or so until they get used to sleeping and laying inside again - and during that time remove the outside nest boxes and roosts. When you start letting them out again do so in the afternoon, and call them back into the coop with treats before it gets dark, closing them in for the night.
Welcome to BYC. Chickens can be extremely stubborn and resistant to change. Follow 1muttsfan's advice and check for a mite infestation in the coop. Other than that?
