This may not be the right place.

[Tac01711]

Sorry if I should've posted elsewhere.

My chickens.. 10 young but laying hens, and 2 young bantam roos, 1 full size roo, refuse to sleep in the coop at night.

I'm not sure if they ever slept in there. I have notice the 1 bantam roo will sleep in there but the rest of them roost outside in the run, most of them on the same peice of wood close to the ground not even meant for a roosting bar.


I had the idea to lock them into the coop for 3 or 4 nights.. but after the first night my husband let thwmnout and never put them back. Should we try this again?

Should we put them up every night or keep them in there with food and water for 3 days?

 

[CluckerFamily]

Try sprinkling some treats, just a handful into the coop about 30 minutes before bedtime and then shut the door behind them. Then you can let them out in the morning.
This may take a few nights but they will get the hang of it.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Try putting a light on in the coop (perhaps on a timer) for up to one hour after dark. As it gets darker and darker, they should gravitate towards the light. After a week or so of this, they ought to have the right idea and go there automatically. Remove what they're roosting on currently until they get the hint, you can replace it after they've adjusted to using the coop instead.

 

[Tac01711]

Try sprinkling some treats, just a handful into the coop about 30 minutes before bedtime and then shut the door behind them. Then you can let them out in the morning.
This may take a few nights but they will get the hang of it.

That's a brilliant idea thank you

 

[bobbi-j]

What are the dimensions of your coop? How much roost space do you have? Is it well ventilated? Do you have a run attached to your coop?

 

[Tac01711]

What are the dimensions of your coop? How much roost space do you have? Is it well ventilated? Do you have a run attached to your coop?

The coop is 4x8 but we have a massive run.. maybe a 20x16 run. The coop has plenty of roost space but they literally don't use it. We have 3 that lay eggs in there now.. but they didn't before I put a heat lamp/light out there.. not sure why they don't sleep in there

 

[Tac01711]

The coop is 4x8 but we have a massive run.. maybe a 20x16 run. The coop has plenty of roost space but they literally don't use it. We have 3 that lay eggs in there now.. but they didn't before I put a heat lamp/light out there.. not sure why they don't sleep in there

Also I would say its vented ok because its def not air tight. And actually needs to be sealed off better and vents added instead because rain gets in sometimes

 

[Mrs. K]

A big run does not really compensate for a too small coop. And in Alabama - climate wise they may be fine outside. What they are telling you, is we think this roost is better, and will use it. Mine often think they know better! haha Remove that roost, and ten to one the next best roost will be in the coop. Try it and see.

But herding them into the coop at dark a few times might help too.

 

[PioneerChicks]

I would lock them in full time for 3-5 days. Training Chickens to "Coop" at Night

 

[Geena]

Your coop is rather small for that amount of chickens, and they most definitely do not need a heat lamp in there!