Why are my chickens lying in a heap on the floor of their house?

[Pork Pie]

Unfortunately, the coop is too small for so many birds. This link should provide you with a solid basis on which to estimate the space requirements for your birds
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[Alpal]

Okay, I think I’ll need a new house. How urgent do you think this is? Will they be okay huddling up through the winter, or is this really cruel?

Sorry if these are silly questions but I’m really green!

 

[Alpal]

Unfortunately, the coop is too small for so many birds. This link should provide you with a solid basis on which to estimate the space requirements for your birds
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

That’s helpful Ken, thanks. Looking for a new house...

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I think you could work on it over the winter and have it done for them for the spring... Four of my girls sleep in a chicken pile on the floor as well. They have roosts, and there is plenty of space, but they just prefer the pile. I think more so, now that we're getting pretty cold at night, here in New England US.

 

[aart]

Also how big are the roosts?
They need something at least 2-4"(5-10cm) wide.

 

[chickens really]

That Coop is so cute but really only enough room for two Hens to live happily...Best of luck....

 

[Stephine]

Yes, way too small for 7. Actual, it is too small for almost any number because of the roost placement issue...
I am sorry for the bad news!
As a rule of thumb you need at the minimum 4 square feet per bird, perches need to be at least 2 inches wide, at least 1 foot per bird, more if you get hot weather. Perches need to be at least 12 inches from the wall, better is 18, there needs to be at least 4 feet space for them between the perch and the other wall to flutter down again...
Finally ventilation: at least 1 square foot per bird! In order to make sure you have adequate ventilation but also a nice protected coop and draft free perches you need to have adequate space! Best is having ventilation all along the top of the walls, open gables and a few windows that you can close in driving rain, wind or freezing cold.
The ventilation needs to be well above the perches, so the chickens don’t sit in the draft.
I would not keep the chickens in that tiny coop for longer than absolutely necessary, especially during winter. For one, inadequate ventilation will make frostbite more likely...
I am really sorry you have been misled!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The coop is very pretty but much too small.
The tighter the quarters, the more laborious cleaning is. Stocking density determines how frequently it needs to be cleaned.
I'd start building your permanent main coop now but I wouldn't discard the one you have. It is the perfect building to use as alternative housing for quarantining injured, sick, new birds and perhaps as a broody apartment.

In the meantime, don't lower the roosts. Roosts need to be significantly higher (which you don't have roof for) than the nest boxes or they'll sleep in the nests which is a bad habit because it leads to eternally poopy eggs.

 

[chickens really]

I would love that as a Broody Hen Coop for Momma to hatch out Chicks before she introduces to the rest of the flock...Its so cute...

 

[Michael Propst]

I agree with all the other comments on coop size. I had the same problem as you I inherited 8 chickens and the coop from my neighbors when they moved. They had did no research prior to getting chickens and only built a 4x4 coop for the 8 hens as well. I have been doing allot of learning myself. I am now in the process of adding an additional 4 feet to mine to make it a 4x8. A 4x4 coop should max out at 4 chickens. I also noticed it doesn't appear that you have any ventilation in the coop which could be causing gasses to develop and be contained. Here is probably the best article you can reference on coop ventilation.