roosting

[bcarthen]

I have several (5-6) hens (about 6 months old) that have decided that they do not want to roost in the coop anymore but instead they roost in the barn. I put up more roosts in the coop and there is plenty of room for all of my chickens and more. How can i make them start back roosting in the coop other than locking them in for several weeks again.

 

[ChickNanny13]

You could move them to where you want them at dark, or close up the barn so they can't get in. The area they're roosting in the barn, is it higher than the ones in the coop?

I got 4 pullets (18wks) that prefer to sleep on the ground rather than their roosts, they have 4 to choose from! They use the roost during the day but choose to sleep on the ground/shavings. Last night when it got dark, I moved them to where I wanted them. They must have stayed cause found their night poop in the poop board. Hoping I don't have to move them again tonight, it's raining

Good luck with yours.

 

[barred2rock]

As alluded to by CN, chickens typically will roost at the highest point they can reach. So if they can get higher in the barn that's likely where they'll want to roost.

 

[aart]

I have several (5-6) hens (about 6 months old) that have decided that they do not want to roost in the coop anymore but instead they roost in the barn. I put up more roosts in the coop and there is plenty of room for all of my chickens and more. How can i make them start back roosting in the coop other than locking them in for several weeks again.

Post pics of your coop inside and out, and showing the roosts.
We maybe able to spot a problem area and how to fix it.

 

[bcarthen]

I will post a picture tomorrow night. The coop is actually in the barn but it's separated by a chicken door and chicken wire. Where they are roosting is lower than the roost in the coop.

 

[abraga]

Maybe they feel less secure in the coop for some reason or its to small for them to feel comfortable. How big is the coop to chicken ratio? If it's to small..they may feel to vulnerable/trapped. U could try only feeding/watering them in the coop for awhile. Try adjusting the roost perch to same height as the one they're using. I've had to rearrange roosting perches a lot to sometimes find what works. Not long ago..one off my roost perches " fell"..scared the chickens so bad they all ran out of the coop..then refused to use that roosting perch again.