Why do all the chickens cram themselves into the corner?

[svalentine]

So for the last couple nights after finally going into the coop on their own, they pile up in one corner literally on top of each other. And they don't sound happy. They have a nice big coop with windows and roosting bars, etc. What is wrong with the coop or them? We tried turning on light. That drew them out to eat a bit and then they went right back to piling up in the corner. I'm afraid they're going to hurt each other.
Help.

 

[HennyJenny]

Do you have a heat lamp on them? They sound like they are too cold? How old are they? What is the temperature at night?

 

[jerseygirl1]

Yes, it does sound like they are cold

 

[kittyacid]

My chickens always sleep like that. Their first coop was too low to put a roost bar in and they always piled up in the corner to sleep. When I moved them to the shed coop, they continued to do that, regardless of the temperature. It looks like they want to be in the very corner and they push and shove each other to get there, fussing the whole time. Once they get settled, they are quiet, but they always have that few minutes of fighting for the best spot!

 

[chickenlove13]

Yah my chickens did that for the first 4 weeks that they were in the coop. Now they are starting to spread out a bit and use the roosting bars.

 

[teach1rusl]

So they're new to the coop? Have you put them up on the roosts yourself? You can do that after dark (use a flashlight), so they'll wake up there in the morning; it might give them the right idea...

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

It sounds to me it is time for you to start roost training (kinda like potty training) Roost training is you going out every night for a week or so picking them up and placing them on the roost till they get the hang of it..
Could your roost be to high for them to get to it maybe you need to build them a ladder I had to do that with mine till they got used to flying up there at night now the ladder is gone and they no longer pile up in the corner trying to get the best spot, mine in the brooder do that all the time even my Buff's I have out in the growing pen in the coop do that so I think until they learn to roost that is just what they do.

Good luck to you

 

[svalentine]

Thanks for all the great responses. That's exactly what they are doing. Pushing and shoving and climbing on top of each other. 15 chickens in a space no bigger than one should be in. The roosting bars aren't too high and they do fine getting on them and sitting on them and walking on them during the day. I don't see how they could be cold. It's been really warm here lately. Tonight it was 76 out and they are doing that. The heat lamp is at the other end of the coop. So if they are cold, why don't they go under it?
At one point, I reached in and physically moved them all out of th corner and they went to the feeders for a few minutes. Then they were right back in the corner. All but 4 of them. So we'll keep those 4 and give the rest away. HaHa.

We're just hoping at this point they'll out grow this after they've been in the coop awhile longer.
During the day they get in a big group to nap. But then they are next to each other, not on top of each other. And they all sound happy. This night time things sounds like they're killing each other.
Gotta love em.

 

[bridgerp]

Funny thing, mine do the very same . Tonight I started puting them up on their roost bar. I will let you know how it goes.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Our youngsters have been roosting on top of the nest box. They know what the roost bar is and they use it to jump over ( not UP) to the sideways milk crate that serves as the nest box. Then all 14 jostle back and forth for a good while before they settle down. A few spread on on the roost bars now and then, but that pileup on the crate? Forget a head count, it's a mass of feathers!