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

[rosemarythyme]

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

I'd do this, much easier on you and the chickens will adjust.

When I built a new coop (placed about 10' from the old) I locked the chickens in for 2 days, then let them out. The first night two of them headed for the spot where the old coop was and just sat there, but by the second night they all figured out to go to the new coop.

 

[bruceha2000]

I don't see how locking them in the coop will make it easier for them to find the opening if the changed orientation is a problem. I expect they'll figure it out by themselves, especially if it is raining and they want to be inside. Just follow the other chickens!

I'm still waiting for 3 of my pullets to get tired of their evening ride into the coop from the "feed room" which shares a half wall (with hardware cloth above) the coop. The coop is a converted stall in an old barn.

 

[aart]

I don't see how locking them in the coop will make it easier for them to find the opening if the changed orientation is a problem.

It's behavioral 'reset'...changes an old habit to a new one.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Does this happen with integration? I have pullets that are ready to integrate soon...they have been sharing chicken wire for a wall since August...when I put then in the bigger coop next to their coop will they run back?

 

[bruceha2000]

How old are the pullets? Most of the time chickens want to get up high for the night so if there was no roost in the brooder area they will likely follow the other birds up to the roosts. There will be some "hierarchy" issues as the older birds explain to the pullets that they can't sleep "here" or "there" or "over there".

 

[ValerieJ]

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

Are they in danger on top of the coop? Is it within the run?

 

[featherhead007]

Although the good thing about it pouring is that they're spending a lot of time in the coop today. Hmmm....

Small favors!

 

[Indigo a la mode]

Are they in danger on top of the coop? Is it within the run?

The coop is outside the run, so they aren't protected. The coop is one of those prefab ones that has a little house with a little run underneath. I am planning to wall in the run part and hang a roost across the whole thing so they have a little more space and can get a little higher off the floor (since they'll have the bigger run to roam around in).

How old are the pullets?

They're all the same age, just shy of five months. Honestly they don't seem to have any sort of hierarchy, at least not yet! They go everywhere together, eat all at once from the feeder, sleep side by side or in a pile all together, and I haven't noticed any deliberate pecking at each other.

They roosted on top of the coop tonight again, even though it was raining. I put one into the coop enclosure and the rest cheerfully hopped down and joined her.

 

[CindyinSD]

I agree with aart. If you move the coop back at this point, that’s just more change for them. You do have roosts in the coop, right? If they’re growing up and they have one of those prefab coops that don’t have much for roosts, that could be part of it, too. If they’ve only just discovered they can hop on top, they might prefer the roof. Either way, try locking them in for a while and see what happens.

 

[aart]

If they’re growing up and they have one of those prefab coops that don’t have much for roosts, that could be part of it, too.

Indeed.
Can't remember how many birds, but it maybe getting crowded in there, and prefab often lack in ventilation.

@Indigo a la mode we might be bale to help more by seeing pics of coop and run, knowing how many birds and....
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