My hens won't roost

[jhall1255]

Thank you. I'll try these suggestions

The tipping issue needs to be fixed. I would think about reworking your nests, you really only need 2 nests for 6 birds, put them against the wall and put an angled roof(too steep to perch on) over them.

They're gonna need more than 4.5' once they get bigger,
good rule of thumb is 1' per bird of roost length.

You might think about 3-4 nests under a roost/poop board combo along the 8' side of coop.

 

[jhall1255]

I have one additional question. I have a light that faces inward into their coop. And solar lights in the run (it draws bugs for them to eat before bed time and they really enjoy it ) is it bad to have a light on all night in the coop? If it's okay should it be a dim light or a different color such as red? I only have a light on because every time I turn it off they cluck and chirp like crazy and seem to not touch their food and water. As soon as I turn it back on they immediately run to the food and water like they couldn't see anything. It is very dark in the coop at night. Thanks

 

[aart]

Turn it off, let the natural sunset happen.
You may need to add some windows so they can see inside at dusk.
Maybe you have other predator proofing outside the coop,
but that chicken wire is like butter to raccoons,
I suggest 1/2" hardware cloth on any windows/vents in coop.

 

[jhall1255]

Coop update. I added two 8 foot roosting bars, hopefully that's plenty of room haha. Also bought two nesting boxes instead of making my own. They can't roost on those. So far they are roosting on the bars and doing well. Lights have not been used anymore and they have been doing fine. Thanks for all the help

 

[barn206]

It took my chickens 4 days to roost on the new 2x4s I put up. Tonight 3 of them did it
12 weeks old/ 19 chicks