Pullets sleeping in run

[Lilion]

We've had our girls about 2 1/2 weeks. At first they wouldn't leave the coop, now they've stopped going in at night! Twice now on a late night puppy walk my husband has found them in a little pile in a corner of the run, under the coop. The coop isn't pristine but I check it frequently and it isn't smelly. Is it because of the size? Its 4x4 by about 2 feet tall. We planned to raise the roof, but decided to just make a new coop. We're

still working on the permanent coop and the run is pretty secure, but I'm worried about them not going in.

 

[Tonyroo]

Too short to roost at night. You need to make it taller on your rebuild.

But for now, I would let them be, only because it looks difficult to get in there to move them to the coop.

 

[Dean126]

My coop is about 5x3 and have had anywhere from 3 to 12 chickens and no chickens have ever slept in their coop, they roost in their run. But the roost is 5ft. high. Never had any problems.

 

[Lilion]

Too short to roost at night. You need to make it taller on your rebuild.

But for now, I would let them be, only because it looks difficult to get in there to move them to the coop.

Any taller and they'd be at the roof. The new one will be a corner of an equipment shed and 7' tall...so totally different.

 

[Lilion]

Just went out to clean the coop and there was so little poop in the bedding I pretty much just scooped out a bit, fluffed it, and added more. They aren't going in there at all, best i can tell.

 

[KyCoop]

Maybe try a night light. Like a strand of battery power lights. They could be afraid to go in if it's too dark.

 

[aart]

Maybe try a night light.

Yes.
I use a battery powered puck light.
Turn it on an hour before dusk, turn it off when you lock up just after dark.
How soon will the new coop be done?

 

[CrspyChkn]

I read the title and was like, "chickens sleep running?"

Mine stayed out of their coop, but that was because they were afraid of the older chickens. Good luck with them!

 

[Ridgerunner]

At first they wouldn't leave the coop, now they've stopped going in at night!

Sounds exactly like mine every time. I think it is because of the elevation, I don't have this with a ground level coop. Until they start to roost chicks seem to like sleeping in a group on the ground, like they do with my broody hens until she takes them to the roosts. They like the spot right under the pop door. It doesn't matter how long mine were locked in that coop section only before I let them in the run.

I want mine sleeping in their coop since I don't consider the run predator proof. So every night when it is getting dark I lock them in the coop section until they get the message that the coop is a better place to sleep. Sometimes that only takes a few times, a couple of times it took three weeks before the last ones got the message. Be consistent and they will eventually get the message.

My coop has a lot of natural light so they can see to go to bed. I can't tell how much natural light yours has. They need to be able to see to go to bed. If it is too dark inside the coop when it is time to go to bed some people get good results by putting a light inside long enough at dark for them to find their way in.

 

[Raptor Chicken]

I'm new here and know little aside from what my wife and I have researched and implemented.

Once we transfered our chick's to their coup we religiously physically put them in the coup and shut the door at night (8pm) and let them out (7am). After about 2wks they naturally go back in like clockwork.

Thats still holding true since we introduced them to the 24x36ft extended run. And now that its getting darker earlier they're going into the coup about 7:30pm.

I expect once we get into fall/winter and its dark when we get home (5:30) they'll probably already be in for the night.

After our experience I think a big part is how you "train" your chickens. But you have to be willing to initially get out there and do the work.

But what do I know....