Hens roost in run at night

[Harleyredwing]

At night Our young hens want to roost in the run instead of the coop. The run is as secure as the coop so predators are not a worry, but with winter coming we want them inside at night. I installed a dusk to dawn / timer automatic door from coop to run. I thought of taking down the roosts in the run to see if that would force them to go in. Any idea are appreciated.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

At night Our young hens want to roost in the run instead of the coop. The run is as secure as the coop so predators are not a worry, but with winter coming we want them inside at night. I installed a dusk to dawn / timer automatic door from coop to run. I thought of taking down the roosts in the run to see if that would force them to go in. Any idea are appreciated.

I would figure that if they were cold, they’d put themselves in the coop.

Mine start out on the outside roosts and move inside if it gets too breezy, etc.

It took me a while to get comfortable with this idea, but as you say, the run is as secure as the coop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Are there older hens too or is it just a group of younger birds with no adults to show them the ropes? How old are they and have they ever roosted inside the coop?

You can try removing the roosts in the run if that's where they've been sleeping, and/or manually putting them in the coop at dusk.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

If your run is secure I wouldn’t worry about it. My game hens sleep in the run and I have no plans on forcing them in when it gets cold. If they are uncomfortable they will go in.

If you have other chickens they probably don’t want to bother with the nightly roost squabbles that usually take place when it’s time to go to bed.

 

[Harleyredwing]

Are there older hens too or is it just a group of younger birds with no adults to show them the ropes? How old are they and have they ever roosted inside the coop?

You can try removing the roosts in the run if that's where they've been sleeping, and/or manually putting them in the coop at dusk.

Are there older hens too or is it just a group of younger birds with no adults to show them the ropes? How old are they and have they ever roosted inside the coop?

You can try removing the roosts in the run if that's where they've been sleeping, and/or manually putting them in the coop at dusk.

All young hens raised together. Approximately 17 weeks. Just stated laying.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Have you taught them to go into the coop at night? Without older hens you will have to manually put them in the coop for a few nights maybe a couple weeks before they will realize that’s where they are supposed to sleep

 

[Harleyredwing]

All young hens raised together. Approximately 17 weeks. Just stated laying.

Have you taught them to go into the coop at night? Without older hens you will have to manually put them in the coop for a few nights maybe a couple weeks before they will realize that’s where they are supposed to sleep

We kept coop closed off from run for one week when we introduced them to coop. They rousted in coop then. Perhaps the auto door is closing too soon at dusk. I disabled the door open this evening. Two hens went inside. Ten stayed out. I’ll see what happens for the next week.

 

[Harleyredwing]

Are there older hens too or is it just a group of younger birds with no adults to show them the ropes? How old are they and have they ever roosted inside the coop?

You can try removing the roosts in the run if that's where they've been sleeping, and/or manually putting them in the coop at dusk

Are there older hens too or is it just a group of younger birds with no adults to show them the ropes? How old are they and have they ever roosted inside the coop?

You can try removing the roosts in the run if that's where they've been sleeping, and/or manually putting them in the coop at dusk.

We shut them in coop for 1 week when we introduced them. Twelve hens all ~17 weeks. They roosted inside. Auto door between coop and run closes too early perhaps. I disabled the door open tonight. Two hens went inside coop. Ten stayed in run.

 

[Harleyredwing]

If your run is secure I wouldn’t worry about it. My game hens sleep in the run and I have no plans on forcing them in when it gets cold. If they are uncomfortable they will go in.

If you have other chickens they probably don’t want to bother with the nightly roost squabbles that usually take place when it’s time to go to bed.

I disabled the dusk/dawn auto door open tonight. Two hens went to coop. Ten stayed in run. I’ll see what happens this week. Let nature take its course.

 

[Anon112]

All my chickens sleep in the run, some of them on the roof of their coop, others on branches/boards available in the run. As long as it's predator-proof, I figure they can decide where to hang out at night.