I have recently put my chicks into a spare coop separate from my older hens and they prefer to sleep right at the entrance of the coop with their heads poking out and refuse to sleep anywhere else. I’ve tried moving them but they prefer to sleep in the same spot. How do I train them to sleep in the proper spot in the coop?
How important is it to you for them to sleep in the "proper" spot in the coop? I don't care that much where mine sleep as long as it is predator proof and not in my nests. Others get upset if their chickens want to sleep anywhere other than the designated spot. Is where they are sleeping a problem for you? It would be for a lot of people, including me if it were not predator proof.
How old are they, you called them chicks? Until they reach a certain age they may not want to sleep on the roosts. Mine like to huddle together on the coop floor until they are ready to roost. That can be anywhere from 5 weeks old to over 12 weeks of age. I generally let them decide when they are ready to roost.
I don't know what your coop looks like, how big it is or how it is set up. How easy is it for you to access the roosts? If you don't want them sleeping in that open doorway, close the door with them inside. They will find some other place to sleep. That might be your roosts,, it might be somewhere else.
How dark is your coop? Do they have enough light to be able to see how to get to the roosts before dark? If they cannot see how to get to the roosts when it starts getting dark outside they are not going to go to the roosts. If you don't have a window it can help to have a small light that comes on as it is getting dark so they can see where the roosts are.
If you want then to sleep in a certain spot, such as on the roosts, wait until it is dark. Using as little light as possible place a few on the roosts. Hopefully it does get dark in there. Consistently put some up every night until they start putting themselves up there. Once one or two start roosting the rest usually soon follow.
Good luck!
