My New Coop...A Bust?

supermom

In the Brooder
11 Years
Sep 10, 2008
46
1
32
I was given 2 chickens (12 weeks old) a few months ago. I was pressed to build a coop asap. I thought I was very clever and purchased a large wooden dog house. The measurements are 28in H, 40in. W, 26 1/2 in D. I replaced part of the floor with wire mesh, made the opening into a door, put in 2 perches 12 inches apart. I then pulled off the side and built 2 nest boxes: both 12 X 12 and 7 inches off the floor of the coop. I put the whole thing on cinder blocks so it was off the floor. I was really proud of myself! I then built an inclosure 8 X 6 X 6 and the coop is inside of it.
Then we received 3 BR chicks that are now 7 weeks old.
The 3 chicks go inside happily but they roost in the nest boxes. The older chickens keep roosting on the roof! (They always have, even before the chicks). What's up with this?? Every night I am out there picking up the older chickens (18 weeks) and putting them in the coop and trying to put the chicks on roosts (HA HA HA).

Are my chickens really stupid or did I screw up? BTW, I live in Northern Ca so it is a mild climate...

Please, any help would be REALLY appreciated.
 
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It sounds perfect; you have two bedrooms! Chickens in general will sleep in the highest place, so on top of the house seems to make sense. Since your weather is so mild there is no reason for them not sleep there, is there? We live in central/coastal CA (Salinas area) and ours all sleep in the coop, but it is just a Rubbermaid shed so offers little more than a wind break. they like the roosts, though, and can cuddle up in there.

It sounds to me like a lovely set up and that you hens have adjusted well!!
 
Thanks a lot! I am trying to put some pictures on to give folks a visual: Here goes...
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I think they are doin what chickens do!! Which is a good thing!! I have my three EE's in a coop about the size of yours. They are doing just fine with my design. In time, they will learn that the coop is 'there' house, and will go in for you on their own. Just give them more time to get used to knowing what to do. Keep working with them the way you are. Your doing the right things by the way you sound,, great work!!!
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Thanks a lot. I guess I'm just worried that if they ever lay an egg than it will just roll off the roof! I have tried to get a picture on this but can't. I got the photos on the site, just can't import them onto my message!
Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? I have tried to drag them onto my message, I have tried to click on Img... what's the trick?
 
Yeah! I think I finally got it! Here is my "Dog House" coop!

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Here is the inside...

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And here you can see the nesting boxes and my babies!
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Well, that looks lovely!

My girls slept on top of their doghouse inside a cage run until I finished the coop. All 11 of them would get on there and their heads would stick through the cage wire. It was pretty funny. I can't believe they used to be so tiny they would all fit inside a granola bar box! They are snuggly critters.
 
My chickens will roost on the highest point they can get to. I have a couple of ducks that will be sharing quarters very similar to your coop. I live in Northern CA also... we've been lucky with pretty mild weather.
 
Everyone is right that they want to be on the highest safe place. It looks like your roost in the coop are about the same height as the nesting boxes. I'd raise them up. I don't know how much head room they have above, but just a few inches above the nesting boxes would probably work.
 
We always have one that sleeps in the nest box...snuggly in there I guess. Some use astroturf in the boxes, then maybe they wouldn't sleep in there? Also are the roost comfortable? wide? rough enough to grip? just use 2x4s and they seem to like that alot.
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