Hens not sleeping in coop/house at night

[Tiwanda]

This past week I have noticed my 5 girls 1 BR, 2 White Leghorns & 2 Red Stars (approximately 15-17 weeks old) have been sleeping outside of and on top of their house at night. The coop/house is located inside their run and is well protected against predators and is cleaned everyday. The temps have been dropping into the 30s-40s at night. This is a new behavior for them. They nap and chill- out in their house randomly throughout the day - they just seem to be choosing to camp out on the rooftop at night. Is this normal? Should I be concerned?

 

[chickens really]

You don't lock them into the coop at night?...Chickens if left to make decisions generally do not do as we wish...

 

[Tiwanda]

They are in their coop/run. The house is located within the coop/run. The run is very secure and measures approximately 9 feet tall X 20 L x 8 W.

 

[21hens-incharge]

How big is the coop in square feet?

Many times a coop that works for x number of chicks does not fit so well when they are bigger. Being flock animals they will stay together and sleep outside where there is more room.
They will also head to the highest point to sleep. If that is the top of the coop that is where they will go.

Pics of the sleeping quarters help.

 

[chickens really]

They are in their coop/run. The house is located within the coop/run. The run is very secure and measures approximately 9 feet tall X 20 L x 8 W.

Yes, I understand but if not trained to use the Coop for sleeping?...Chickens will decide to sleep where ever they want...I have a secure Coop and Run also and in the summer they sleep outside on the Roost...I retrain them every Fall..

 

[Tiwanda]

Yes, I understand but if not trained to use the Coop for sleeping?...Chickens will decide to sleep where ever they want...I have a secure Coop and Run also and in the summer they sleep outside on the Roost...I retrain them every Fall..

I understand. They all slept in the house up until this past week.

 

[chickens really]

Any changes made in the coop?....

 

[Tiwanda]

How big is the coop in square feet?

Many times a coop that works for x number of chicks does not fit so well when they are bigger. Being flock animals they will stay together and sleep outside where there is more room.
They will also head to the highest point to sleep. If that is the top of the coop that is where they will go.

Pics of the sleeping quarters help.

Thanks. They are getting bigger (Hoping for a Xmas 1st egg!) Also, I just started leaving a light on at night until about 9pm to prolong "day time" for them. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.
The pics attached show the 'house', another 'sleeping area' and a view at night. Until last week, they all marched into the house at night.......

 

[Tiwanda]

Any changes made in the coop?....

Yes. I began using a light in the coop from about 5pm-9pm....Do ya think that could be it?

 

[chickens really]

That's pretty brightly lit...You figured out your problem..