These girls baffle me

[Andy E 123]

i have two new girls and have integrated them with my old 4 yr old
Like the other chickens before them they insist on sleeping on the ladder
I recently built he house so no red mite
Shall I continue placing them in the house at night it has a perch and internal nesting box
It’s a fox proof run so I guess they can sleep where they want but I’m baffled as to why they won’t go in their nice new house
Thanks

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It's beautiful! What workmanship! But.. I think they won't sleep in it because it's contrary to their nature. If you could lower it and put a flat board above it, they would no doubt be happy to sleep ABOVE it. Chickens ROOST. They need a ROOST to roost upon. Of course then you would need to protect that beautiful little hen house from their droppings.

 

[Andy E 123]

Thanks for the reply but I’m confused as to what you mean

 

[Andy E 123]

There is a roosting perch in there

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I guess I don't understand the problem then. I thought you meant they would not sleep in the pretty little "house" with the heart cutouts. Or is that the nesting box?

 

[jthornton]

Well it's very small with little ventilation that I can see and we don't know where in the world you are but where I'm at it would be too hot to be cooped up in a tiny box like that right now.

They may perceive the ladder as the highest place to roost or it may be too dark inside the roosting box. Chickens always vote with their feet...

Add your location to your profile so it's always there.

JT

 

[Steven Bussell]

My guess is it's a little tight. Can you let us know how wide it is.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh, I see the roosting perch now... well, keep in mind that chickens are descended from jungle fowl, and their natural instinct is to roost high up in trees. So they don't want to go into a dark, secure little cave. They want to be able to see and hear all around them as much as possible. The ladder is more natural to them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

PS - I'm really sorry they aren't as impressed with it as I am! Do you make jewelry boxes, chessboards, anything of that nature?

 

[AmyJane725]

If the roost in their run is higher than the one in the coop they’ll always opt for the higher one.

And I agree with the cramped/little ventilation comment. Does it give at least 4 sqft for each bird?