Stopped returning to the coop! :(

[Neezle]

Our two hens decided last week that their coop isn't as cozy as our open garage. Every night I have to put a chicken under each arm and carry them across the yard into their coop (talking to them the whole way, explaining why it isn't safe for them to be out where the coyotes can get them).

How do I resolve this? Would cooping them up for a week reset their systems? I let them out around 7 am each morning and let them free range until dusk. So far they don't protest too much when I pick them up, but it'd be nice to just close the door on them at night. The coop does have roosting poles in a separate section from the nesting boxes, though they are low. But they are roosting on flat surfaces in the garage so I don't know that it makes a difference.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

 

[Den in Penn]

Yes cooping them for a week should set the coop as their home. After the reset you could give them an incentive to go in and out during the day for a while, like keeping the food and water in there. Chickens will roost on any place they are comfortable, be it round, flat, thick or thin.

 

[Neezle]

Thanks for the input, Den. I do keep the food and water in the coop so they have overnight access. I'll try keeping them in for a week. I feel bad, like I'm punishing them...they already look restless!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Sometimes, they just find other places to roost that are more comfortable. They might want a roost that's higher or a different shape. Some roosts are too close to the wall or too small a diameter, once the chickens grow up and get larger. Sometimes they find a place that's not as stuffy or hot, if a coop doesn't have enough ventilation. Sometimes, the coop is fine and they just have their own ideas. Did they ever live in the garage, before going to the coop? They can sometimes want to go back to an old coop or roost closer to the house, if that's where they remember living when younger.

You can try locking them in the coop and see if that does it.

If you get them used to having a little treat in the coop just before they go to roost, that can reinforce them going back to the coop at night. You can pay attention to what time they go to roost. Just before that time, take them back to the coop for their treat and then lock them in. Ours are happy to follow a container with one of their favorite treats back to the coop. It's a good technique if you need to lock them up during the day for some reason, too.

 

[Neezle]

I suckered out and let them out this morning. I think I might try the treat idea. What's delicious to chickies?