Sleeping outside in freezing weather

[angeldiver]

Well, I only put the light in days AFTER they started this. It’s just a small string of Christmas type lights. I thought they’d like that for the 2 hours at dusk. Since it didn’t work I kept them off the past few nights. Occasionally one or two will go in but the other 4-5 huddle outside. It’s brighter outside than in the coop. Thanks for reply!!

I had this happen once, and discovered that the bedding I had bought was full of mites! I pulled it all out, treated the area and the girls, and replaced with new bedding. They roosted back in the coop immediately.

 

[alinas2010]

So last night after dark all 6 were roosting outside. I shoved them in one by one and blocked the door for a few hours while they settled in. They were truly cussing me out. Stupid me forgot to put the camera in to see the situation. Will do that tonight.

Oh I bet they’re so stuck in their habits now! Silly little chickens. They’ll ultimately be so much happier in their coop once they get used to sleeping in there.

 

[aart]

and discovered that the bedding I had bought was full of mites!

What was the bedding and where did you buy it @angeldiver ??

 

[KimbosKluckers]

I had this happen once, and discovered that the bedding I had bought was full of mites! I pulled it all out, treated the area and the girls, and replaced with new bedding. They roosted back in the coop immediately.

Oh my. I searched and searched for mites. I found nothing. Even after dark. I did change the bedding again though. I truly believe now that it’s bars.

Oh I bet they’re so stuck in their habits now! Silly little chickens. They’ll ultimately be so much happier in their coop once they get used to sleeping in there.

I hope so. They sure complain a lot

 

[Dlm2plus]

Just saying I have 10 chickens, half roost in the coop and half on top of it. I've tried putting them inside but they keep going out and since my run is secured I don't worry. They are 2-3 years old and have always done this. I did add heavy covering so where they roost on top ofvthe coop is protected from rain and drafts.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Just saying I have 10 chickens, half roost in the coop and half on top of it. I've tried putting them inside but they keep going out and since my run is secured I don't worry. They are 2-3 years old and have always done this. I did add heavy covering so where they roost on top ofvthe coop is protected from rain and drafts.

My run is also completely secure and wrapped but still very cold at times. I guess they have different personalities just like us. Thanks for your reply.

 

[alinas2010]

My run is also completely secure and wrapped but still very cold at times. I guess they have different personalities just like us. Thanks for your reply.

Mine have become spoiled ninnies and won’t come out of their coop at the slightest wind or cold anymore

 

[lydfou]

It’s never bothered them before because they are now starting to reach full size. That coop is too small for 6 full grown chickens and that is most likely why they are roosting outside for more space.

thats plenty big for six chickens. i have several i have to force into the coup every night, for their safety. There may be no particular reason why they don't like the coop right now. You are doing a good job of husbandry. If they are in a secure pen, i wouldn't stress unless your winters make them vulnerable to the weather. Don't let people bully you.

 

[Mark Park]

My gals (8 months old) are starting to roost outside their coop even in snowy/cold weather. This just started a couple weeks ago, they used to always coop up. Nothing has changed except the weather. Their run is completely predator proof. Is this normal? I even put a light in their coop since I read that maybe my solar lights keep them out. I put them in manually a couple times and they run right back out. Thanks!

Check their perches for tiny blood stains. It sounds like you have mites.

 

[CrystalAnon]

I'm telling you from experience it is the mice. Even though they can kill them, the don't like the scurringing around them while they are trying to sleep. Use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B78355CP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@Debbie292d wrote an article https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/diy-mice-deterrent-pouches.79542/. I started using the pouches and they work.
I don't get the mice thing...I have 18-inch aprons around everything (coop and run), and I swear they can tunnel that far.

I used that rodent repellent & they just bit through the bags.
Also tried the humane bucket traps & the squirrels knocked them over every morning to get to the peanut butter, so even if I got one, they didn’t stay in there by the time I got to them. Thinking of using mouse traps with Velcro stickers on the trap, attaching to one on the board above the laying boxes (so the chickens can’t get to them & when they trap a mouse, it won’t fall into the main coop area).
I think what ended up happening is the squirrels figured out how to get into the coop, but they had to trample all over the nests the mice were trying to live in, so I think they moved out. Haven’t seen any trace of poop or more damage from them.
But the rodents never caused my chickens to stop roosting in the coop.
That is a pretty tiny coop & run. Looks nice in the pictures, but when you see the dimensions/photos in the coop ad, it brings it into perspective.
We have 8 chickens in a 8x6ft coop (measured from inside - 7 ft tall at the highest point), with a 20x6.5ft hoop run (measured from inside). I’ll post a couple pictures.
You might consider extending your coop &/or the run. I am not a builder AT ALL, and it was easy to build our hoop run, covered in hardware cloth. No plans to work from… only measuring & cutting. Just need to build the frame on the ground, then 16ftx4ft cattle panel over in an arch so they can attach to the inside of the frame, and so it’s tall enough you can walk in it. Attach the cattle panels together with zip ties. Then lay the hardware cloth over that & fill in any gaps with hardware cloth. The hardest part was building a sturdy door at the end of the hoop, so we could clean the run & let them out to forage.
I hope you find a good solution!