New digs- girls hate

[Thancock760]

Got the shed up last weekend and poop shelf/roost bars in today. Even with mealworms- half the girls won’t go in. I am going to put sand down next and have two windows to install and vents. Any ideas on bribing them in?

 

[DobieLover]

I'd add a LOT more ventilation. But primarily, they're not going in because it's brand new and a huge change and chickens absolutely hate change. They will adjust.

 

[Intuit]

When we get done with the interior of our coop, I plan on putting my girls in a big box and transfer then to the coop. I'll shut them in for the night hoping they'll get used to the space before I let them out into the run.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Yep, you're going to have to pick them up and put them in there. Maybe even lock them in for a day or two so they know that that is home. And I agree that more ventilation is needed.

 

[Thancock760]

I'd add a LOT more ventilation. But primarily, they're not going in because it's brand new and a huge change and chickens absolutely hate change. They will adjust.

I have two huge windows to add and two giant square vents. I am debating getting some solar fans as well??? Thoughts there?

 

[Thancock760]

When we get done with the interior of our coop, I plan on putting my girls in a big box and transfer then to the coop. I'll shut them in for the night hoping they'll get used to the space before I let them out into the run.

These are a mix of one and four year old hens. The one year olds will check it out, the older girls aren’t having it

 

[Thancock760]

What do you all think about a couple roof vents? That in combo with the windows on west and east side, and two 12” vents at front and back gable.

 

[DobieLover]

What do you all think about a couple roof vents? That in combo with the windows on west and east side, and two 12” vents at front and back gable.

I would install a power roof vent with a sealed motor to keep dust out which would cause a fire hazard. You need a lot of ventilation in there. Many people think in terms of square inches of ventilation in a coop when you need to be thinking in terms of square feet. Ideally you want to have one square foot of permanently open ventilation per bird in the coop with more available to open up when it gets hot.

 

[texsuze]

Ditto increasing the ventilation. Not to nitpick, but I'd also consider removing the plastic panels in the door "windows" and replacing with hardware cloth. Also, your ramp up to the roost board is very steep. Can you drop the roost table down by several inches, or, make a low-angle ramp to a platform, then a second low-angle ramp from platform up to the roost table? Also presume you'll be putting nice, deep material (pine shavings?) to finish your flooring. Nice job so far!