Pullets are huddling in a corner

[pherbe]

Hey guys.. maybe you can diagnose my problem.

We have April Chickens.. so going on 2.5 months old. We have 10 hens and a rooster.. soon to expand hopefully in the near future. We have a HUGE coop setup that was left from previous owners. It is a 8 foot wide by 15 feet deep by 10 ft tall STONE barn stall. Came with a hen box setup.. ten on top ten on bottom along the deep wall. It has one chicken wired window. We have an auto waterer setup inside.. with the pipe also sticking out for when they free range. The front of the coop is old weathered wood that was nailed to enclose the coop. I'll come backand post pics.

Here's what I'm encountering. We don't have great roosting setup. We had an old ladder leaned up against the roosting boxes. Very sturdy.. They won't go anywhere near it. They stay close to the door.. get water, food in their daily ration pan and get out. At night they are learning to go in the coop but they hide right inside in a big pile. Am I missing something? We've had zero losses to predators. I wondered if a snake or something has a hidey hole I'm missing but so far I've checked and haven't seen anything. I'd expect after a month they'd feel more comfortable and at least sit on the shelf above the hen boxes. Still no. They aren't laying yet and I'm afraid if I can't get them more peaceful in there I'll end up with a field full of eggs rather than in the boxes.

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[kitkat5505]

When I first put my chickens in their coop I had to teach them to go to the roosts. I'd go in when they were in there and pick them up and put them on a roost. After a few days a few started putting themselves there and after 3-4 days they all went there themselves.

 

[aart]

How long have they been in the coop?
Have they always slept there?

Thinking they may need more light, more windows,
could be to dark at dusk to see in there?
Waiting for pics.