Only Goes In Coop To Sleep

[simmworksfamily]

My chickens have never really wanted to hang out in their coop. It's small (compared to the ones I am seeing on this site - boy do I want to expand soon!) but fits the two of them perfectly. However they only go in at night to sleep.

During the day they wander our yard (partially covered patio + a sail shade in the other part of the yard to keep hawks out) and only go into the coop to lay. When they want shelter or a place to go, they just go under the table/chairs set on the patio or under the large hedge/bush. If they want to roost they use the kids play structure.

Do chickens just prefer to be out and about wandering or does it depend on the chicken? Or do I need to expand the coop to make it more intriguing to them?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes. They're outdoor animals, like fresh air and foraging. They don't get forage or fresh air in the coop.
Even if the coop were bigger (not a bad idea) they would stay out all day except to lay.

Actually, your situation is perfect. Go in to lay and sleep - stay out all day.

 

[sophiaw00]

That's completely normal. My chickens are weird though, and with the exception of the rooster, spend at least a few hours in the coop when they wake up. Then they come out for a few hours and wait to be let out to free range. They have many roosts and toys in the run so they are entertained by those. They lay in the coop throughout the day, before free ranging time. Then when I get home from school I let them out. I will still find a few that go back to the coop for half an hour at a time while free ranging. They really like their home.

 

[simmworksfamily]

Yes. They're outdoor animals, like fresh air and foraging. They don't get forage or fresh air in the coop.
Even if the coop were bigger (not a bad idea) they would stay out all day except to lay.

Actually, your situation is perfect. Go in to lay and sleep - stay out all day.

Ok, good! I kept seeing all of these posts with large coops and chickens always in them but I'm assuming that's because they have a run and coop and don't get out in the yard/other areas.

I'll be moving them to the other side of the yard shortly since summer is winding to and end and we'll start growing grass in the yard for the kids (the chickens are moving to where I've planted a chicken forage blend for them with grazing boxes). But because they'll loose a little portion of their yard I wanted to expand their coop. Wasn't sure if it was worth it if they're only in there to sleep.

 

[chickmomma03]

Mine stay out in the run pretty much all day and only go in to sleep, access feed, or attempt to lay an egg. Unless it's raining then they might go roost in the coop if it's a heavy enough rain.

 

[wallsden]

I have 3 young pullers about 15 weeks old. I put them out in the coop at 5 weeks old keep them in for 4 days. Now they only go in to sleep just before dark. I read that's good.