Staying out all night

[jerischicks]

Hi Everyone,

Out of our newest batch of chickens, we have 1 and sometimes 3 chickens who seem to prefer to spend the night on top of one of the coops instead of inside. All winter we have physically put them inside every night, where they stayed until morning. Now that the weather has warmed, is there a danger if they stay out on top of one of the coops at night? They are pretty stubborn.

We have 16 chickens, 4 coops, and a large chain link enclosure with a roof over the top. Except for a large predator, it's as safe as we can make it. Also, the coops themselves are big enough for quite a few more chickens, so they're not crowded.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and advice

 

[Mrs. K]

How high are your roosts. When they roost on top of the coop, it is because is a higher roost. Or the coop is too small.

If it works for you and yours, it is perfectly fine. Probably fine all winter too, depending where you live, and your wind protection.

 

[jerischicks]

T

How high are your roosts. When they roost on top of the coop, it is because is a higher roost. Or the coop is too small.

If it works for you and yours, it is perfectly fine. Probably fine all winter too, depending where you live, and your wind protection.

Thank you so much for your reply Mrs. K.

We're in Northern CA. The coop these chickens are in is big. Big enough for 8 + chickens and only about 5 use this particular coop right now, but obviously the roof is higher than any interior roosts, so maybe they either like the fresh air, the height, or ?

The weather right now, is warming so I don't see a problem with that, however me personally.... I'd just feel like they are safer inside.

About the only thing I can see doing is putting something on top of the roof, between the roof of the coop and the ceiling of the enclosure, to keep them off, but I'd hate to do that.

 

[Mrs. K]

I am thinking the coop is 3 feet x 6 feet? But you have 4 of them? About enough space for 4-5 hens.

I have had good luck when I have them roosting in the wrong spot by blocking it off. You could just hang cardboard from the enclosure roof with gorilla tape. Would not have to be too permanent, cause once you break the habit, it generally works pretty good.

Mrs K

 

[jerischicks]

I am thinking the coop is 3 feet x 6 feet? But you have 4 of them? About enough space for 4-5 hens.

I have had good luck when I have them roosting in the wrong spot by blocking it off. You could just hang cardboard from the enclosure roof with gorilla tape. Would not have to be too permanent, cause once you break the habit, it generally works pretty good.

Mrs K

Thank you Mrs. K, I'll try the cardboard.