They won't roost in the coop :(

[llombardo]

I have the same coop. The roost is just barely higher than the tray and nesting boxes, so I made a higher, removable roost from 2x4s. It's oriented the opposite direction from the original roosts, so all three of my girls can fit on it. View attachment 1429009 View attachment 1429011

Good idea. I may steal this idea. I might use 2x2s so I can make 2 and maybe slightly different heights.

 

[Rick&chickTampa]

Phew! I thought I was the only one that had built a coop that my chickens hated. Mine used to go inside but as the FL weather started heating up the refuse to go in at night. I installed electricity and put in a fan but they still prefer to camp out. I was going to put in AC and a big screen TV but my dear wife says "No Way"

 

[R1V3R20NG]

Got the same coop for secondary, our younger birds use it. They used to huddle up and sleep in the nesting boxes, they even tried sleeping in one box all together and some were too big so they had to stand. most of them sleep on the perches now, i used to move them to the perches at night so they couldn't see. By the way, don't ever get that coop. Its a piece of junk. We just got it and and the back door for collecting eggs already broke, the doors don't allow us to latch 1 latch on both the back and the main exit for the run, and the whole structure is a bit flimsy.
I have a problem with one of my roosters and a hen. (who live in the main coop) I try and try and try, but they still don't get it, they can't sleep on the fence or the big perch in the run. They'll go in if i open the side door that i use for collecting eggs and letting them out in the morning, but they won't go in and follow the rest of the chickens through their door and up the ladder to the second floor.

 

[llombardo]

Got the same coop for secondary, our younger birds use it. They used to huddle up and sleep in the nesting boxes, they even tried sleeping in one box all together and some were too big so they had to stand. most of them sleep on the perches now, i used to move them to the perches at night so they couldn't see. By the way, don't ever get that coop. Its a piece of junk. We just got it and and the back door for collecting eggs already broke, the doors don't allow us to latch 1 latch on both the back and the main exit for the run, and the whole structure is a bit flimsy.
I have a problem with one of my roosters and a hen. (who live in the main coop) I try and try and try, but they still don't get it, they can't sleep on the fence or the big perch in the run. They'll go in if i open the side door that i use for collecting eggs and letting them out in the morning, but they won't go in and follow the rest of the chickens through their door and up the ladder to the second floor.

I like the coop. Mine is sturdy. I put up second set of hardware cloth all around and on the larger window. The only thing is(and it's my fault) is that when I put it on 2x4s, it's not super even so it's hard to open one of the doors. I have to fix that

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

Mine are currently roosting on top of the wall of their unfinished coop. There is a tarp over the run and the coop is in the run so I'm not really concerned. I've tried to move them down to the roosts but they just move back as soon as I leave.
I may just leave it open until winter.

 

[Mach 1 Padilla]

I usually have to train any new hen I get to sleep in the coop. Usually takes about a week. I go after its dark and find it (my chickens free range), Then move it to the coop. They get the idea quick.

 

[sheetmetaltom]

it only takes me a few nights to train everyone to go to bed in the coop. with that said sometimes they will decide to sleep in the secure run. the coop door is always open so they go in/out at anytime. ive seen them spend the night outside even in the winter. one year they insisted on sleeping piled on top of each other in the doorway. couldnt figure out why usually after a night or 2 they return to the coop.

 

[Cryss]

I have that coop and had 4 chooks that wouldn't go in at night. I put them inside every night. Then I decided to put them in and didn't let them out for about 3 days, someone on here recommended that as a remedy. I put their food and water in the nest area during that time period. When I let them out again they still wouldnt go in. I did the 3 day thing again and this time it worked. Better and easier than catching them and putting them in physically every night. Best thing is they teach new additions to go in. About 2 months later I got 2 more birds. After the usual separate but visible time period, where newbies are in a dog cage in the run, I removed the dog cage. That night the babies cried for their cage home after the flock had gone Inside. I placed them in with the flock and closed it up for the night. The next night the babies went in on their own. Later did this again with 2 more newbies and it worked again. They just needed to know this was home. Also, I put a slim straight branch from a tree we had felled inside. I connected it from the left hand corner closest to the big clean out door to the right hand corner farthest from that door so it was diagonally placed. It was about 8 inches from the floor. It could probably have been set a bit lower. You don't want their heads to be up in a draft from the vent. 8 inches has been pretty good though. They will go to the highest point, so the post about the roof not being in place, that's why they roost on the walls. Just put a higher roost inside.
Oh...and start building a bigger coop. You're gonna need it. I promise from experience.

 

[dasjman]

Our two girls only go up into the roosting area if they are scared. They free range from morning until dark, and always sleep directly on the ground in the back corner of the lower part of the coop. It's going to be interesting when they start laying.

 

[Ljc01]

I have 5 pullets who have decided that they want to roost in the tree at night. So, I have to knock them down and then they go into the coop and roost.
I free range all day and this is the first time I have had this problem. My DH is building me a bigger coop and when he done they are getting locked up for a week at least. This current coop is a little small to lock all 13 birds in for a week. It is 6x10. My new coop will be 10x12.
The extra birds are because the breeder that I was going to buy 3 birds from said, buy 4 and I will throw in the 5th one for free!