The unanswerable question...

[redheadedhens]

No, actually only one of the five is laying thus far, and she lays inside in a nesting box. It's not a requirement, more of a preference. One: more secure, and two: easier clean up (the coop area is smaller than the run area and it would be much easier for me to clean up under that roost more frequently than I do the full clean out of both).

Also, totally unrelated, monkton flock - I grew up in East Fairfield, VT...guess even across the country, I'm never too far from home.

 

[redheadedhens]

Two windows inside coop, always open thus far (yes, hardware cloth secured over screen). Additional vents installed in two other locations at highest point of coop walls (yes, hardware cloth secured over vents). Yes outside roost is higher and longer. However, they only roost on half of it. No, they have not outgrown the inside roost, I've seen them all roosted on it during the day with plenty of space.

I'm sure the height plays a part, but placing a higher roost inside the coop is not possible. I should not assume the run is secure, but in this many months, I have had nothing attempt to dig into the run, no the bottom is not secure (ie. I did not bury hardware cloth, pour slab, etc.). That is, however, part of why I want them inside. Should something decide to make the attempt, I'd rather it hit a secure door than five unprotected hens. I may try installing a dim light in the coop as others have suggested. As I indicated in my original post, placing them inside at night for two weeks straight did not at all "reprogram" them - they just went right back to outside.

Thanks for everyone's input. I'll post pictures of the coop/run again soon - by the time I get home from work these days it's already getting dark!

 

[aart]

Two windows inside coop, always open thus far (yes, hardware cloth secured over screen). Additional vents installed in two other locations at highest point of coop walls (yes, hardware cloth secured over vents). Yes outside roost is higher and longer. However, they only roost on half of it. No, they have not outgrown the inside roost, I've seen them all roosted on it during the day with plenty of space.

I'm sure the height plays a part, but placing a higher roost inside the coop is not possible. I should not assume the run is secure, but in this many months, I have had nothing attempt to dig into the run, no the bottom is not secure (ie. I did not bury hardware cloth, pour slab, etc.). That is, however, part of why I want them inside. Should something decide to make the attempt, I'd rather it hit a secure door than five unprotected hens. I may try installing a dim light in the coop as others have suggested. As I indicated in my original post, placing them inside at night for two weeks straight did not at all "reprogram" them - they just went right back to outside.

Thanks for everyone's input. I'll post pictures of the coop/run again soon - by the time I get home from work these days it's already getting dark!

So.....lower the outdoor roost.

 

[redheadedhens]

Yes thank you for that suggestion, if it was in fact meant sincerely. Not logistically possible with the current set up. And I'm not willing to make major adaptions at this point. Outside roost was removed today and all five are roosted inside. Appears that solved the problem. Thanks for everyone's insight.

 

[aart]

So.....lower the outdoor roost.

This suggestion???.... was definitely meant sincerely.

Yes thank you for that suggestion, if it was in fact meant sincerely. Not logistically possible with the current set up. And I'm not willing to make major adaptions at this point. Outside roost was removed today and all five are roosted inside. Appears that solved the problem. Thanks for everyone's insight.

Depending on how roost was built and attached, might be easy to move it down.
I always try to build things that are easily modified/relocated/adjusted....especially chicken things.
But glad they are sleeping safe and sound inside.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So.....lower the outdoor roost.

I was going to suggest that as well! Also sincerely.

I am glad removing it worked out for you... Safer chickens!