Odd Sleeping Habits

[PegsEggs]

Just need a little advice... 3 of my Ladies (I have 11) have started sleeping in the open air room right before the door to go into the coop. Just started this last week, so when I go to the coop to close the door normally before I go to bed, there they are...I wake them an shew them in and shut it up... I was just wondering are they staying out too late to graze and can't see to go up... do they need more ventilation? They have just started this this past week. Are they just being hard headed? I don't want this habit to continue with winter coming...

 

[21hens-incharge]

We need pics of you set up to advise on anything we see there.
Other than possible coop issues......Migrating birds often bring mites.

 

[PegsEggs]

the open air door on the right is where they are falling asleep

We need pics of you set up to advise on anything we see there.
Other than possible coop issues......Migrating birds often bring mites.

the open air door on the right is where they are falling asleep

 

[21hens-incharge]

What size is that coop?

It looks nice but perhaps to small for 11 birds to not squabble, especially at roosting time.

 

[PegsEggs]

What size is that coop?

It looks nice but perhaps to small for 11 birds to not squabble, especially at roosting time.

Its a 4x5 at the bottom and has several roost going up...pics attached, do you think it needs a ladder going up?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Its a 4x5 at the bottom and has several roost going up...pics attached, do you think it needs a ladder going up?

It is really only big enough for 5 birds. The up high roosts are above the lower ones so not great as any that DO make it up there will poo on those below.

If you put 2 roosts that are 5' long it MIGHT have enough roost space. Putting them both parallel and 15" apart MIGHT work.

The thing I have found is for every foot upward they need at least 1.5' outward from the roost to get down.

It really is to small for 11 birds.

 

[PegsEggs]

It is really only big enough for 5 birds. The up high roosts are above the lower ones so not great as any that DO make it up there will poo on those below.

If you put 2 roosts that are 5' long it MIGHT have enough roost space. Putting them both parallel and 15" apart MIGHT work.

The thing I have found is for every foot upward they need at least 1.5' outward from the roost to get down.

It really is to small for 11 birds.

Thanks so much, I will get with my husband to see if we can rework the roost. It has been good up to this week and just want to make sure they are good for the winter.

 

[21hens-incharge]

It is still going to be SUPER tight in there.

A 4x5 coop is 20 square feet. That 20 square feet divided by 11 birds gives just 1.8 square foot per bird. If you put food or water in there that 20 square foot is even smaller.

At least you are in a mild climate. That is...I hope you are in a mild climate.

For 11 birds I recommend a 6x8 structure.

 

[PegsEggs]

My husband and I watched them go up tonight with the door open just to see whats going on, LOL, all found roost, and got comfy (the coop is 8ft tall). Thinking a ladder may help with going up inside along with your suggestion of making a few of the roost parallel but at different heights. We don't put food and water inside, just open to stations for the daytime hours. My husband also said that a few may just want the extra attention before bed LOL. He wouldn't put it past me to read them a bedtime story.