Hens sleeping on the ground, not in coop

[CountryGirlintheCity]

Hi - I have four laying hens of various ages. Earlier this summer, I added the two youngest to the flock and since that time all of the chickens have been sleeping on the ground rather than in the coop. They still go inside to lay eggs. I have tried moving them inside at night but they don't stay there. I put tasty treats (mealworms) inside the coop. I have no idea what to do next. Nothing inside the coop has changed, the only difference is the two new, young hens. I'm hoping that as the weather gets colder, they will naturally sleep inside but worried that might not happen. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[ValerieJ]

what is the size of your coop?

 

[PirateGirl]

How big is the coop and what is the length of the roost bar?

It sounds as if the new girls never learned to roost and the old ones have picked up on their bad habits.

Also it would be worth doing a check for mites by flashlight at night in the coop. I'm not convinced this is the case, but you don't want to overlook it if it is.

Also try putting a light in the coop at night. It can be a small flashlight or similar battery powered option. Turn it on at dusk, wait an hour or two, see what happens.

 

[CountryGirlintheCity]

The coop is 4' x 8'. The roosting bar is 8 feet.

 

[CountryGirlintheCity]

How big is the coop and what is the length of the roost bar?

It sounds as if the new girls never learned to roost and the old ones have picked up on their bad habits.

Also it would be worth doing a check for mites by flashlight at night in the coop. I'm not convinced this is the case, but you don't want to overlook it if it is.

Also try putting a light in the coop at night. It can be a small flashlight or similar battery powered option. Turn it on at dusk, wait an hour or two, see what happens.

Thanks! I'll try the light!

 

[PirateGirl]

The coop is 4' x 8'. The roosting bar is 8 feet.

Sounds like there is enough space for 4 birds even if they don't want to huddle together to roost!

 

[slordaz]

something could be getting in at night also , I would watch or put a game cam in the coop to see if there is a critter getting in there, mine won't go to roost if somethings got in and bothered them at night,

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

Hi - I have four laying hens of various ages. Earlier this summer, I added the two youngest to the flock and since that time all of the chickens have been sleeping on the ground rather than in the coop. They still go inside to lay eggs. I have tried moving them inside at night but they don't stay there. I put tasty treats (mealworms) inside the coop. I have no idea what to do next. Nothing inside the coop has changed, the only difference is the two new, young hens. I'm hoping that as the weather gets colder, they will naturally sleep inside but worried that might not happen. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

So long as they have predator protection, I wouldn't worry about it. Most of my hens (I only have 4) like to roost on top of the coop and only go in to lay. One hen routinely goes in to roost except during hot weather, then they are all on top. My coop is fully enclosed in the run and is as predator proof as possible.

 

[CountryGirlintheCity]

Thanks for the advice everyone. It is greatly appreciated!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Can you post a picture of your coop? That would help a lot. How is the ventilation situation?