Rooster won't jump in coop.

[barnbum204]

We put our chickens in the coop every night due to predators. We don't put them in until late and usually the only one that has to get put in is the rooster. And it wasn't much of a problem until the rooster is maturing and being a rooster. So we tried waiting to see if he would jump in waited till 10 pm at night and he still won't jump in....any ideas to get him to jump in the coop? All the hens go in and out all day no problem he just won't seem too...

 

[dekel18042]

We put our chickens in the coop every night due to predators. We don't put them in until late and usually the only one that has to get put in is the rooster. And it wasn't much of a problem until the rooster is maturing and being a rooster. So we tried waiting to see if he would jump in waited till 10 pm at night and he still won't jump in....any ideas to get him to jump in the coop? All the hens go in and out all day no problem he just won't seem too...

Are all the hens in? Usually the rooster will go in last after the hens are in. You say "jump" in. Do you have a ramp? Perhaps if he had a ramp he would walk right up.

 

[barnbum204]

Yes all the hens are in they go in around 8 pm when it starts to get dark. And we did have a ramp and he wouldn't use that either and the hens did not like the ramp and he only would go in when the ramp wasn't there..and then he stopped

 

[aart]

Is there a landing platform in front of the door?
Is the door big enough?
Is the coop big enough?

Pics of the situation might help folks make suggestions.
How old are the birds?

 

[barnbum204]

 

[barnbum204]

The coop and door are both big enough he is the only one that won't go in. All the chickens are about 16 weeks old. Above is a picture of the door view of inside the coop from outside and the rooster

 

[aart]

I'd add the ramp back, making sure it's less than 30 degrees from horizontal with lots of cleats for good footing...
........sprinkle it with scratch grains..and give them time.
Put them in at night if needed until they get it.

Or maybe just a concrete block or something to jump on before heading thru the door.

Are these birds new to you?
If he's getting bigger it may just be harder for him to jump into the doorway without hitting his head.

 

[Mrs. K]

Try putting a bar or perch about 6 inches in front of the opening. That would allow him to land, and then walk in. He is bigger than the hens, but eventually this mignt become an issue for them too.

An easy way would be to use a closet rail and supports, the ones that are designed to put a shelf on too.

Just as a suggestion, put up several roosts in the run at different heights, put up a board or pallet on cement blocks. May make things look a bit more cluttered, but it gives shade, and it actually increases the area in the run by adding different levels, Gives them a bit more exercise.

Mrs k

 

[barnbum204]

The birds aren't new to us we have had them sense right after they were hatched. I'll try the concrete block and see if that helps thanks. And we have put a bunch of roosts out in the run just not by the door might try that and thanks Mrs k the board on cement blocks is a good idea never thought about that!

 

[Mrs. K]

Oh good about the roosts. What I am thinking is that the rooster with his wings outspread, cannot fly through that opening. He could easily walk through it if he could fly up to a perch. You stated that your birds were 16 weeks old, at this time often times the rooster is much bigger than the pullets. However, your pullets will still have a bit of growing to do. As they get bigger, they too might have trouble flying through the door.

Mrs. K