Stubborn SLW roosting issues

[aart]

You could put hardware cloth from the roof til that bar so she can’t sit in it ?

That's what I was thinking.

Nice run!
Coop's nice too.
Why the tarp on the roof, is it leaking?

How big is coop, in feet by feet?

Oh, and, climate?
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[Shadrach]

I'm not sure why this is a problem (?).
As long as the chickens are in the coop why does it matter where they sleep?
I do understand that you want them in the coop.

 

[snow5164]

I'm not sure why this is a problem (?).
As long as the chickens are in the coop why does it matter where they sleep?
I do understand that you want them in the coop.

Because she’s trying to figure out why one is alone outside and not with the others... a lone chicken can mean all kinds of things , bullying , sickness being scared of something....

That’s why

 

[Shadrach]

Because she’s trying to figure out why one is alone outside and not with the others... a lone chicken can mean all kinds of things , bullying , sickness being scared of something....

That’s why

Ah, okay. I hadn't picked up on that.

 

[Shadrach]

It's just I have chickens (one in particular) that just can't be doing with the usual night time bickering at roost time. Yes she gets the odd peck from senior hens but chickens do that.......
I would worry if when I let them out in the morning she, or any other came out with bloody combs or feathers ripped off, but the pecking order roost time scraps are perfectly normal.
A couple start off on the floor and when everyone has got their places sorted out they find a space on the perch....it's normal I think.

 

[snow5164]

It's just I have chickens
A couple start off on the floor and when everyone has got their places sorted out they find a space on the perch....it's normal I think.

I agree it is normal ,but yours all end up on the perch after bickering.... if one was outside all alone you would
(or should )be concerned and try to figure out why ?? Try to walk in their shoes ... that’s how you could understand, have a good day !!

 

[Matzwd]

It all looks very nice Like an exhibit at the zoo so clean and beautiful

That’s a lot of roosting bars ... do you need so many ?are they removable for cleaning?

Ok so the bars that are 8 feet up , there’s many of them ? Why does she pick this one?Does she start on the coop then get up there?

Is there some way you can stop her from getting up there?
You could put hardware cloth from the roof til that bar so she can’t sit in it ?fill in the space ....

Wonder if scare tape would work? Might look silly ....

I that silky I’d cuddle up with him too

Thank you for the coop compliments. Makes hubby proud!

The highest 2x4s in the coop are actually the roof trusses. There are two roosting bars about a foot off the floor in the pic (in case the silkie wants to be up there), but I have since removed one. There are two that are about even with the windows at either end of the coop. The four hens that go to bed like they sound all get on one of those. I thought Lacey might like one to herself so she could roost inside without being picked on, but she's not interested right now, still trying to roost outside.

There are two of the beams below the ceiling in the black run, and she always goes to the same spot on the same beam. The first time she got up there, I was looking everywhere for her. Hubby and I were going to a movie, so we shut the inner run up before we left because we would be home way after sundown. I accidentally shut Blue out, and he was sleeping just outside the door of the run when we got home. I was wondering if that was why she went way up there, because he was outside the run? She flies straight up there, does not get on the roof first.

I was thinking of blocking that area between the beam and the ceiling off, but won't Lacey just crash to the ground, maybe getting hurt when she attempts to fly up? Not sure what scare tape is.

Love my silkie rooster. He's very sweet and respectful to me and his girls. I don't think the girls know they're his yet though, lol. He taps them on the shoulder (or the rear end), and they run. One of the girls stepped aside to dodge him the other day, and he charged her, landing himself right inside a tomato cage, poor guy.

 

[Matzwd]

That's what I was thinking.

Nice run!
Coop's nice too.
Why the tarp on the roof, is it leaking?

How big is coop, in feet by feet?

Oh, and, climate?
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!
View attachment 1530261

Thank you! The run is a large mechanical equipment enclosure that hubby was able to procure from work. The coop roof is not leaking, but the cap is not completely mounted yet, so just a precaution. The tarp will be gone soon. Coop is appx. 5 x 12, black covered run 12 x 24, outer run 50 x 50.

We're in the St. Louis area, so Midwest. Thanks for showing me how to update that in my profile, done!

 

[snow5164]

Scare tape is a shiny red ribbon that we tie in our Saskatoon/Blueberry bushes to scare away birds...we also use tin foil plates because we are supper classy

I think if you closed that in it would look different and any attempts to fly up there wouldn’t be so appealing.

Birds don’t like change , hang a few ribbons or a balloon.... might work !

Good luck

 

[Matzwd]

I'll try tying something up there Wednesday since I'll be off work. Do you think just streamers of wide, dark-colored ribbon will be enough, or should I try something more solid instead? I have tried putting a flashlight inside the coop, but she was roosted outside well before she even knew the coop was lit. I want to put an automatic door in, but I can't until she can put herself to bed.