I've got a hen that refuses to roost in the coop.

[MarkJr]

From the pictures the roosts using limbs aren’t very close to level. Is this an allusion? The poop load under kinda tips me this direction.

maybe try a 2x4 level above it and see if they take the bait.

 

[Joyful_shay]

I have an Australorp that absolutely refuses to roost in the coop. It's not a huge deal right now as it's still pretty warm at night and she roosts pretty high up the mulberry tree just outside the coop but I worry about her with winter around the corner. I've tried taking her down at night and putting her in the coop but she doesn't seem to take the hint. She's never done this before the last few months. I know the coop is big enough because we've had more birds in there than we do now and I just expanded the coop and roosts. She has no problem going in and laying during the day and she gets along with the other girls just fine. I've also noticed that she roosts long before sundown while the others are still scratching around the yard. Does anyone have any ideas as to why she's doing this and how to correct it?

Well in my opinion you have to train her,you could restricted her from leaving the coop for a while or you make sure you catch her every night and place her in the coop...of you do this for a while she'll learn...
And you also make sure she's not being disturbed in the coop sometimes this happens due to the issue of pecking (probably she's being bullied by the others)

 

[Saaniya]

I read somewhere if they are Scared from something or being victimized by lice or mites they deny to go in their coop .

I have an Australorp that absolutely refuses to roost in the coop. It's not a huge deal right now as it's still pretty warm at night and she roosts pretty high up the mulberry tree just outside the coop but I worry about her with winter around the corner. I've tried taking her down at night and putting her in the coop but she doesn't seem to take the hint. She's never done this before the last few months. I know the coop is big enough because we've had more birds in there than we do now and I just expanded the coop and roosts. She has no problem going in and laying during the day and she gets along with the other girls just fine. I've also noticed that she roosts long before sundown while the others are still scratching around the yard. Does anyone have any ideas as to why she's doing this and how to correct it?

If

 

[aart]

From the pictures the roosts using limbs aren’t very close to level. Is this an allusion? The poop load under kinda tips me this direction.

maybe try a 2x4 level above it and see if they take the bait.

That was my thought too.
I'd get tome nice level roosts up what ever they are made from, and then lock them in for a few days.

Also noticed your nests are higher than the roosts, not good as they may well roost in the nests.

 

[Cryss]

That was my thought too.
I'd get tome nice level roosts up what ever they are made from, and then lock them in for a few days.

Also noticed your nests are higher than the roosts, not good as they may well roost in the nests.

You beat me to it. Slanted roosts are fine for recreation, but they’re not very comfortable for sleeping since they have to grip and balance in their sleep. They won’t feel safe.
The nests are still slightly higher than the roosts. They want the highest point for safety. It’s just in their instinct genes.

 

[lyleg5895]

Well I went to put the birds up tonight and she was waiting for me at the door. She's done this the last two night so it looks like persistence won out. It only took the better part of a month.

As for some of the concerns about the roosts, they are actually fairly level. They just prefer the one side for whatever reason. They look slanted because of the angle of the shot and the fact that they "Y" back toward the wall. There is a slight crook on one side, toward the center but it levels off after 8-9" or so. That may explain why they prefer one side to the other. I did add some 2x4 roosts in the opposite corner that go a bit higher but they don't seem to be too interested in them at the moment.

As for the nesting boxes, the top two are actually about level with roosts. Another trick of the camera angle. I'm actually considering rearranging them but for other reasons. I don't worry about them roosting in them as I flip around at night. They prefer the roosts anyway. The roosts are original to the coop just not in their original location so they prefer those over anything else.

As for lice, mites, and bullying, these are all things I keep a careful eye on and have not been an issue in my flock thus far. I just think she liked the tree for whatever reason but eventually got the hint. She's apparently just a very stubborn chicken.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Glad this is getting resolved, thanks for the update!