My Hens are Indecisive

[Freebirdbeachbum]

I’m new to this.

I built a raised 4x4 coop with ramp leading down to 8x4 run with food and water, all covered with fresh hay.

About a week ago, I purchased four RIRs estimated to be about 16 weeks old currently.

They seem perfectly happy hanging in the run all day eating, drinking and doing chicken stuff. At nite, they make their way up the ramp to the coop, stop halfway thru the opening to the coop and sleep there all nite on top of each other, half in and half out. A few times I caught one actually slept on a roost, but mostly they congregate around the 12”x12” opening.

Thoughts?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Darkness. If it is dark in the coop they won't go in. Are there windows letting light in so they can see into the coop, coming in from outside? If it's too much of a contrast from light to darkness, they won't go in.

 

[rosemarythyme]

x2 on light. Also ventilation. Chickens don't want to be buttoned up in an enclosed box, they need fresh air, even inside the coop.

 

[Freebirdbeachbum]

Darkness. If it is dark in the coop they won't go in. Are there windows letting light in so they can see into the coop, coming in from outside? If it's too much of a contrast from light to darkness, they won't go in.

Thank you so much for your quick reply. Would a nitelight work?

 

[GC-Raptor]

Would a nitelight work?

I use one in both coops.

I turn it off when all are on the roosts and lockup for the night.
If you don't have electricity in the coop, get one of these. . I got mine at the Grocery store in the isle with light bulbs. $5.99. It comes with batteries. You'll need to turn on before roost time. GC

 

[aart]

Yep, use a battery operated puck light.
Turn it on before dusk then off after dark when I lock up.

Ditto on the windows and ventilation.

Oh, and..... Welcome to BYC! @Freebirdbeachbum
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Freebirdbeachbum]

Thanks all. Perhaps they’re just afraid of the dark. I’ll install a night lite and hope that works.

Turns out they may not be indecisive, they may be just chicken. Sorry.

 

[Doc7]

If you don’t want to turn on and off a light every day (that would drive me crazy), lock them in the coop for 2 weeks. They will learn where to sleep at that time and then you will likely not have this issue moving forward. Your coop is sized appropriately for this.

 

[Freebirdbeachbum]

If you don’t want to turn on and off a light every day (that would drive me crazy), lock them in the coop for 2 weeks. They will learn where to sleep at that time and then you will likely not have this issue moving forward. Your coop is sized appropriately for this.

I have electricity available so I’ll put the light on a timer.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It's not really fear of the dark, it's simply that they can't see to navigate into and around in the dark. Ever been outside in bright daylight and then walk into a dark shed or garage? It takes a bit for your eyes to adjust and for a bit the room seems pitch dark to you. The chickens can't see where to go or whether it is safe to move forward, so they just don't. Instinct causes them to just settle down to sleep right there in the dark. They need "twilight" to find their way around.