Roosting issue...

[Romeo Flahoy]

Hi,

I hav two ex bats which sleep in wooden coop inside secure enclosure over night. I got two newbies about a month ago and they prefer to sleep on top of the wooden coop I stead of inside it. I kept putting two newbies inside every night after they'd gone to sleep on top and tried encouraging them to walk in themselves but they're not having any of it. My query is is it ok to leave them to roost where they want? They are still inside a secure enclosure and quite a draft free area with roof. I worry about when winter comes. Will they still be ok? Or will they decide themselves to roost indoors hen it's colder? I've tried every night putting them in and showing them the door. I've raised one of the perches to see if that helps. Two others go in ok every night do not red might. Never had this issue before as normally after couple of evenings they cotton on. These were ex free range hens and I can only presume that they roosted outside in open spaces. Any comments welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Romeo Flahoy]

Anyone???

 

[devora]

I keep my girls in a coop b/c it's more secure. If you think it's secure, really secure, then I can't see why it's a problem.

Are your winters harsh?

Personally, I'd keep at it b/c I like to have some sort of order in the Chaos of Chickens, but rationally I can't see why it's necessary.

 

[ibarbidahl]

If you think about it, chickens that truly are left to free range will roost in trees. They are fine outside. BUT if they are roosting near the edge of their cage they can and will easily get gotten by a predator. My ladies will sometimes roost on the ladder into the coop. Fine by me. It's very mild here. I'm curious what they will do in the winter. LOL.

 

[BeulahBreezes]

My 5 month olds still like to fly up onto the coop roof at dusk...then it gets too dark for them to get down and go into the coop! ugh! I take them down most every night and put them in their pen, they always go up to the coop then........silly hens !~Beulah
Now that I think about it...it is the 2 CM's....who are the lowest in the peeking order.........coinsidence???/!!