Hens don't like new coop!

[AuntieTamsBYC]

I have 6 hens and they are free range in a 20'x20' yard and allowed to roam free all day. So only need enough room in the hen house for them to roost and lay. They are never confined to the caged area. I am also changing the yard so they will have a pastured area on a daily basis too. Didn't really want all that caging but thought it would be good if I needed to confine them from the yard (like during a hurricane) and a covered roof so I can put the food and water there to keep it dry.

 

[venymae]

You might try locking the girls up in the new coop until noon each day until they figure out that new=home. It will probably help once the old one is gone. Try sanding down the edges of the roosts and see if that helps! Hope you get this figured out

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I agree with @IdyllwildAcres on this one... it seems to me that your coop situation may be small for 6 birds. Looking at the room on the roosts with the one bird in there, it looks like it would be crowded on them. As a result, they may be trying to avoid the roosting bars.
Additionally, the change to the new coop is also lowered your egg production, and if you don't want them sleeping in the nest boxes, then you need to do something to make them unfavorable, such as the gallon of water idea. Something to prevent them from using them at night, that you remove during the day.

 

[AuntieTamsBYC]

I agree with @IdyllwildAcres on this one... it seems to me that your coop situation may be small for 6 birds. Looking at the room on the roosts with the one bird in there, it looks like it would be crowded on them. As a result, they may be trying to avoid the roosting bars.
Additionally, the change to the new coop is also lowered your egg production, and if you don't want them sleeping in the nest boxes, then you need to do something to make them unfavorable, such as the gallon of water idea. Something to prevent them from using them at night, that you remove during the day.

Yeah, I thought it might be small but the old coop was 8'x3.5 and they only used one section, about half the coop. By inches there are the same amount of roost space plus the additional boxes. So I think it will work out.

 

[Sassysouth]

I had to rearrange my coop for new chicks and my old hen freaked out. They hate change. Block of boxes and put them on the roost at night. Give them a couple of weeks and things should improve.

 

[Sassysouth]

Yeah, I thought it might be small but the old coop was 8'x3.5 and they only used one section, about half the coop. By inches there are the same amount of roost space plus the additional boxes. So I think it will work out.

My coop has heighth, but only 6x4, so on the small side too. Mine only sleep and lay too, and are fine. I know what you are saying. Put them on the roosts and be patient with them.

 

[nminusyplusm]

I agree with @IdyllwildAcres, it might help to remove a nest box divider and add the sq footage of 2 nest spaces to the main coop space. What are the interior dimensions of your coop?

ETA: oops, sorry for the question on how many you have. you said you have 6. Coop does look small for that number.

 

[8 Chicks 1967]

I have wooden closet clothes rods for mine.

 

[8 Chicks 1967]

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Put the milk jug in at night, and remove it in the morning.

Love this! Learn something new every day.