Hens roosting in the run

[Bontrager1]

I have 2 hens roosting in the run at night not in the coop. We have 9 total they are all 1 year old. We don't close the coop at night because the run is built very strong and secure, we have had no problems with predators at all. The roost in the coop is higher over all but the roost in the run is higher off the ground than the roost in the coop is off the floor of the coop. Hopefully that makes sense. This is only the second night that these 2 hens have done this. Should i leave it alone? Should I be concerned?

 

[rosemarythyme]

If the run really is secure, there isn't really any harm in them roosting outside. If you would rather they not do that, then you can try either lowering or removing the roost outside, or physically removing them and putting them inside the coop each night until they get the hint.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

How big is the coop? How big is the run? How many hens do you have? How long is your roost? How much ventilation does the coop have?

Chickens often prefer to roost on the highest possible level so they might perceive the run roost as the best for that reason.

Other reasons for chickens to roost in the run include:

Coop too small for the number of chickens,
Roost not long enough for the number of chickens,
Coop too hot and stuffy,
Dominant hens driving lower-status hens out.

Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters in a lot of things.

 

[Bontrager1]

Welcome to BYC.

How big is the coop? How big is the run? How many hens do you have? How long is your roost? How much ventilation does the coop have?

Chickens often prefer to roost on the highest possible level so they might perceive the run roost as the best for that reason.

Other reasons for chickens to roost in the run include:

Coop too small for the number of chickens,
Roost not long enough for the number of chickens,
Coop too hot and stuffy,
Dominant hens driving lower-status hens out.

Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters in a lot of things.

The coop is 4x7x4. The run is 12x20. We have 9 hens, all 1 year old. The roost in the coop runs the entire 7 feet and 2 diagonal ones off that to the sides. Seems like plenty they are usually all on one side and the other is empty. we are in southern lower Michigan.

 

[Bontrager1]

If the run really is secure, there isn't really any harm in them roosting outside. If you would rather they not do that, then you can try either lowering or removing the roost outside, or physically removing them and putting them inside the coop each night until they get the hint.

Thank you

 

[rosemarythyme]

The coop is 4x7x4. The run is 12x20. We have 9 hens, all 1 year old. The roost in the coop runs the entire 7 feet and 2 diagonal ones off that to the sides. Seems like plenty they are usually all on one side and the other is empty. we are in southern lower Michigan.

How about the ventilation? A coop that's poorly ventilated/stuffy may cause chickens to not want to use it.

 

[3KillerBs]

The coop is 4x7x4. The run is 12x20. We have 9 hens, all 1 year old. The roost in the coop runs the entire 7 feet and 2 diagonal ones off that to the sides. Seems like plenty they are usually all on one side and the other is empty. we are in southern lower Michigan.

4x7 is a bit tight for 9 hens. Not *terribly* crowded, just a little tight.

Are the ones roosting outside the ones on the low end of the pecking order? The dominant birds might be laying claim to all the space.

 

[Bontrager1]

4x7 is a bit tight for 9 hens. Not *terribly* crowded, just a little tight.

Are the ones roosting outside the ones on the low end of the pecking order? The dominant birds might be laying claim to all the space.

They all crowd on one side, and only 1 or 2 birds roost on the other. Now they are all in the coop, 1 is just staying on the floor. She made a nest and sleeps there. She doesn't lay eggs in it just spends the nights there

 

[Bontrager1]

How about the ventilation? A coop that's poorly ventilated/stuffy may cause chickens to not want to use it.

The entire roof is covered in hardware cloth and then plywood lifted over that about 2 inches.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The entire roof is covered in hardware cloth and then plywood lifted over that about 2 inches.

If possible might want to consider lifting that a bit more, unless there's other vents. If the coop is 4x7, you're at... 3.6 sq ft of ventilation with that 2" gap. For 9 chickens you'd want closer to 9 sq ft, which might be tough to fit in such a way that it's protected through winter weather as well.