Regrets on sand in run?

[ChickyCh00k]

They’re 12 weeks old. They roost everywhere during the day. Just not at night. I can’t even get in the coop to try and put them on the bars at night because they’re huddled up against an in-swing screen door. I’m hoping they just need to mature a bit.

That's pretty young still. As they get larger/older, their desire to do the "pile" should decrease, and the instinct to roost higher and off the floor should kick in!

 

[OnlySympathy]

I can’t even get in the coop to try and put them on the bars at night because they’re huddled up against an in-swing screen door.

Open it anyway. They will move and then just pick them up and plop them on the roost. As dumb as they want you to think they are they will learn to not sleep by the door in a matter of days and to roost within a week or two at most.

 

[M_Struna]

Open it anyway. They will move and then just pick them up and plop them on the roost. As dumb as they want you to think they are they will learn to not sleep by the door in a matter of days and to roost within a week or two at most.

I was late in getting back to close the coop up tonight because we had family over. It was already dark and when I approached the coop they were all on the roost bars!!! Yay! Finally!

 

[M_Struna]

That's pretty young still. As they get larger/older, their desire to do the "pile" should decrease, and the instinct to roost higher and off the floor should kick in!

They figured it out tonight! It was dark by the time I got back to close things up and they were all on the roost bars!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

They figured it out tonight! It was dark by the time I got back to close things up and they were all on the roost bars!

Only other chicken people will understand how exciting this is. Other people will smile nervously and edge away!

 

[ChickyCh00k]

They figured it out tonight! It was dark by the time I got back to close things up and they were all on the roost bars!

Yes!

 

[M_Struna]

Only other chicken people will understand how exciting this is. Other people will smile nervously and edge away!

 

[M_Struna]

That sounds like a pretty good setup! Feel free to post pics!

How old are the birds? If they're still relatively young, they should get the hang of roosting as they get older. You can also try placing them on the roost when it is dark at night.

We spent all day on the coop today. Here are the photos. The only thing left to do on the coop is install two vents above the high side windows. I bought a Grandpa’s treadle feeder and am going to introduce that tomorrow. Other than winterizing the run, I think we’re set!

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Looks great! Nice setup you have there.