My coop design work seems to have been in vain

[Underwhere]

I turned a little tykes into a chicken coop, spent a lot of time planning it and building it and my chickens don't seem to be using it the way I thought they would be.

I picked up these birds yesterday (Sunday)

Issues:
1. They refuse to use the ramp. If I put them inside they stay inside. If outside, they stay outside.

2. I didn't expect to get birds that couldn't fly so I think my roost bar was a bit too high up for them. None of them made it up there so I temporarily lowered it to maybe 6" off the pine shavings. Only 1 cochin seems to use it. Should I raise it? Get rid of it?

3. Their sleeping arrangement is unexpected. One cochin sits on the red chair towards the back of the coop. The other 4 birds crowd into one of my nets. Yes 4 birds in 1 nest. I walked up this evening and thought they had gone missing when I noticed 4 distinct balls of fur in there. Should I be concerned about them wanting to sleep in the nests where they are "supposed" to lay their eggs? Do I have a loner bird? Are the other ones just huddled for warmth?

 

[wolftracks]

I can see why they don't like it.

Now just bring it to my house and I'll see how it works for my bunch. I may have to force them, but I'm willing to work with them.

Very nice BTW

 

[justbugged]

It takes time for the chickens to become accustom to new living arrangements. Sometimes it takes a few days for the birds to figure out what they are supposed to do. I would just keep putting them in and out as necessary. They will do a certain amount of finding their own spots in the coop, but within a week or so they should have the pecking order and their roosting spot figured out.

 

[Underwhere]

Quote:
Ok thanks.

It's been raining really hard today and I think it will be tomorrow. Should I still throw them out in the run or let them stay inside where it's dry?
I'm afraid I'll go to work and 10 hours later come home to drowned muddy chickens...or sick ones at least.

 

[Nostalchic]

I agree, give them a little time to adjust. They'll figure it out - I think it looks great. Don't "throw"them out, let them stay in if they want to... given some time, they will feel more secure and confident and willing to explore "the other side" - the inside or outside.

 

[wolftracks]

If they can enter and exit on their own they should be fine. Been raining here too and mine all prefer the mud except one.

Trust me they are going to love their new home in no time.

hmmmm just had a thought. If you have any Polish you might not want to let them out alone in rain unless you're home. I love them, but I've had to search for them in the dark with a flashlight when they didn't get into the coop before dark (they usually make it very close to the door, but just lay down on ethe ground) Like I said I do love them. They just have some issues. So do I so it's all good. They can also have problems with their crests if they stay wet. They'll stand in the rain and I have to dry them off and send them to bed.

If you have no crested birds you should be good to go.

 

[tammyd57]

Are some of your chickens Silkies? A lot of Silkies don't roost, but sleep on the floor or in the nest box.
The ramp looks a little steep, but I'm on dial-up internet and the pics didn't completely load.
If your chickens are not Silkies, I would try giving them a 2" x 4" for a roost with the wide side up so they can sit flat footed on the wood. Chickens don't like to curl their toes around a perch. (Okay, some do, before I get told there is an exception, lol)

 

[Ferdinand]

My Silikies sleep in a double sized nest box with 5 ducks, they refuse to use the perches in the coop!

 

[dsqard]

Quote:
I agree with wolftracks, I don't think it is a good design, I think you need to bring it to my house so I can use it as a "time out coop" for bad chickens!

Honestly, you did a great job and I agree with the other posters, just give them time to adjust to the new home. If the weather is rainy, I would leave them inside and if they want to go out they will.

 

[Tracyfeltsmills]

It's very cute, nice job, they'll figure it out.