My chickens have started roosting on top of their coop...how can I stop that?

[BigBlueHen53]

So there are actually two changes. The location, by three feet, and the orientation, by 90 degrees. This doesn't seem like much to us, but you've totally changed their world.

My suggestion is to make the changes one at a time, and to do the orientation gradually. Start by puting the coop in the new location but facing in the original direction. I think they will accept that. If not, put it ALMOST back where it was, or close to where it was. Then when they accept that, move it a little closer to where you want it. A foot at a time should do it, so it shouldn't be long before you get it where you want it with no issues.

THEN start re-orienting, it by a few degrees at a time. They should accept that okay. After a few days or a week, shift it again by a few more degrees. You get the idea. By making changes gradually, you'll get them to accept them after a bit.

Do you think that will work?

 

[Indigo a la mode]

My suggestion is to make the changes one at a time, and to do the orientation gradually. Start by puting the coop in the new location but facing in the original direction. I think they will accept that.

I really appreciate your suggestions and I think I will try that. Do you think turning it back around will confuse them even more at this point, now that it's been almost two weeks? Or will it still be more comfortable?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

No one can tell at this point but all you can do is try it and see what they accept.
The other option is to lock them in the coop for about 4 days so they again know where it is safe to sleep.

 

[ValerieJ]

Their food and water are in the run, and they seem to like being in there. They perch all over it and such. I wonder if it would help or hurt for me to turn the coop back around so that the configuration is familiar, if not the location?

I figured it was a comfort thing, it's just too bad that it's taking at least two weeks for them to adjust, particularly because I have to leave tomorrow for Christmas week. Hopefully I can get the coop and run attached today so I can confine them to that space and my "chicken sitter" doesn't have to put them into the coop herself. Now if only it would stop pouring!!

Did you say where you are? Your temperatures must be moderate.

 

[Indigo a la mode]

Did you say where you are? Your temperatures must be moderate.

Sacramento - it's mild here in the winter. 40s-50s.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

No one can tell at this point but all you can do is try it and see what they accept.
The other option is to lock them in the coop for about 4 days so they again know where it is safe to sleep.

@ChickenCanoe 's suggestion is easier and faster than mine and will probably work. I tend to see things from the animal's perspective, not necessarily from the human's.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I really appreciate your suggestions and I think I will try that. Do you think turning it back around will confuse them even more at this point, now that it's been almost two weeks? Or will it still be more comfortable?

I just think that mostly they are "lost" and can't find the opening. But you say they are going in more and more during the day. So it sounds like they are orienting to it and if you keep doing what you are doing, your problems will soon be over!

 

[Duckfarmer1]

It seems as if many animals are this way. I have goats and pigs too. When it was time to move to the winter barn..it was a tantrum everyday. The folks on goat forum told me the advice to lock them in for a few days and it worked great...so I suppose the chickens would be the same..silly to us, but, animals hate change.

 

[aart]

I wonder if it would help or hurt for me to turn the coop back around so that the configuration is familiar, if not the location?

No, just wait and let them(help them)deal with the change.

The other option is to lock them in the coop for about 4 days so they again know where it is safe to sleep.

This is the best bet, IMO.

 

[so lucky]

If the door is around the corner from where it used to be, I think that is enough to confuse them. They go where they remember it being; it's not there so they decide to roost somewhere else.