My flock will not sleeep in the coop? Help!

[richeggs]

My small flock has been sleeping out side for several months now. At first I thought that they had out grown the coop I had. So we built a large new coop home for them . I took everything out of the run that they could birch on at night, they still decided to sleep on the ground bunched up together. My next step was to shut them up inside the coop for two nights. Since letting them out they have still been sleeping on the ground

. What do I do now? I am out of ideas. They even sleep out side when it is raining.

 

[iwiw60]

I'm facing a similar dilemma. My 4 BAs I have discovered are sleeping on the floor of their coop...aaack!! I only found this out by installing a webcam and lo-and-behold there they are, all bunched together on the floor!

I've been told that if you go in after dark when they are sleeping and pick them up, one at a time, and put them on the roost they should have their "light bulb" turned on and figure it out. I've also been told that you sometimes have to do this night after night til they "get it".....

Other than that, I have no clue, but will subscribe to this thread in case someone else chimes in...good luck...we'll both need it!

 

[centrarchid]

Richeggs, confine birds to coop for three days. On day four release them late in the evening so they can come out for just a bit but do not chase them. Next day let them out at dawn if desired. Report back observations.



Iwiw60, in the evening collect your four bird in a cage and set on location you want them to roost on. Leave cage door open so they can leave in the morning. You want birds to imprint first on cage. Then they will be looking for it to roost in. Get them to look up and explore looking for it in evening. At some point remove cage. They will roost close to where their beloved cage was seen last and will get used to new arrangement quickly.