Hand Rail Roosting

[Chickens&Ducks]

Our back steps are a pretty decent sized structure, Landing, steps, landing with a turn, steps. My chickens are roosting there at night and my husband usually comes out to put them away in the coop. This drives me NUTS because they'll sit there and poop and it covers the back steps & landing (so gross). Well last night, we were out late,arrived home around 10 or 10:30 and something (we think a raccoon) attacked and killed one of the hens.

Any ideas on how to get them to NOT roost there at night?

 

[devora]

Lock 'em in the coop for a few days. Let them out only one hour before sunset the first day you do so. The next, let them out two hours before. Etc.

Every time they try to perch on the rail, put 'em back in the coop immediately.

Good luck.