Please help.. I'm concerned

[meggy77]

My chickens only go in the coop to lay eggs in their nesting boxes.... they will not go in at night. They all cuddle together on the outside roosting bar. I'm really concerned because It's getting cold here. I live in SC so it's not as cold as other places but it's supposed to be freezing tonight. Should I hook my brooder like up for them? Any tips to get the to go in?

 

[junebuggena]

More info is needed. How big is your coop and how many birds do you have? Bantam or large fowl?

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Have you tried removing the outside roost?

 

[chuckachucka]

I'm having this exact same problem and I think it is because the roosting bar is higher than the level inside the coop. Is this the case with your set up?

 

[JaeG]

If your outside roost bar is higher than inside they will sleep outside. Birds seek the highest (safest) point to roost for the night.

 

[junebuggena]

There are other reason birds won't use a coop besides height level of the roost. Could be that the coop is too small or lacking ventilation or simply not enough roosting space inside. More info is needed.

 

[Stayc]

Just my 2 cents. I kept my birds confined to the secure coop and run for a couple months before allowing them to free range. Do yours free range? Is it a new coop to them? My birds go to roost everynight at dusk in the coop even with a nice roost in the enclosed run. I put the roost in the run after they were trained to go in the coop though. Best of luck with your flock. Im sure the pro's here will help u get it sorted out.

 

[bobbi-j]

A picture of your setup, coop dimensions (in feet by feet) and more info on your flock would help us be able to help you better. How many chickens? Ages? Genders? Large fowl or bantam?