Why will none of my pullets sleep in their coop?

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Here are some pictures of my setup:

The entrance to the coop:

The tree and windowsill that they keep sleeping on:

The roosts:

The rafters:

The roosts and rafters:

 

[casportpony]

Would I just see little bugs climbing around? If not, how to I check for them?

Check all of the surfaces and crevices.

And you go in at night and shine a flashlight on the birds. The red roost mite likes to crawl over them at night.

 

[thecatumbrella]

@casportpony 's mite check is definitely the first thing to do.

If that's clear, I have a couple thoughts.

The pullets might be getting defecated on by the birds in the rafters. Is there enough clearance between each ledge that they roost on? I think it needs to be 12-18", or something like that, to prevent the lower chickens from getting nailed.

Then, how are the drafts through those windows when closed? They're right at roost level, which is great in summer, but some chill might be getting in and hitting them. It's still pretty cold where I am.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

@casportpony 's mite check is definitely the first thing to do.

If that's clear, I have a couple thoughts.

The pullets might be getting defecated on by the birds in the rafters. Is there enough clearance between each ledge that they roost on? I think it needs to be 12-18", or something like that, to prevent the lower chickens from getting nailed.

Then, how are the drafts through those windows when closed? They're right at roost level, which is great in summer, but some chill might be getting in and hitting them. It's still pretty cold where I am.

I'm not sure if they are getting "defecated", but I have never found any poop on any of my pullets.
I usually keep the windows open during the summer and closed the rest of the year. Nighttime temps here has been low 40's.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'm not sure if they are getting "defecated", but I have never found any poop on any of my pullets.
I usually keep the windows open during the summer and closed the rest of the year. Nighttime temps here has been low 40's.

Let us know if you get to the bottom of whatever's going on! Sounds very frustrating.

 

[InvertGang]

When I first put mine out, they slept outside on the ground. I physically picked them up and placed them into the coop, and shut the door. After a couple nights doing that they automatically go inside now.

They're so cute in a big cuddle puddle on the ground. We've been picking ours up from outside and putting them on the roosts for the last few days, and they're finally going in the coop and up on the roost themselves.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

IMPORTANT UPDATE: I checked the coop for mites, couldn't find any. Tonight, my adult hen (whom I put the pinless peepers on) somehow found a way to get into the tree with them on. Along with her, all 6 pullets were in the tree; some too high for me to reach. I was able to reach a grand total of three of them and put them in the coop (my adult hen and two pullets). What confuses me is that, last night, three of the pullets and the adult hen put themselves into the coop, and I put the rest (that I could reach) in there.
I have been putting all the pullets that I can into the coop for almost a week now. Why isn't it working? Now, nobody come at me for this next question, because it's genuine: would it really be THAT dangerous for me to let them sleep in the tree? Please be aware that I am not just asking this because I don't care about my birds, or because I am trying to be a lazy chicken care-taker; I am simply asking if the risk for predators in a neighborhood is very high. Note that I do have dogs, idk if their scent would keep unwanted animals away, but it's worth mentioning.

Here is a picture of my pullets and adult hen sleeping in the tree tonight (before I removed any). Sorry for the quality, it was pitch black out:

And here are the three that I was able to reach after I put them in the coop. The hen you see above them is another adult sleeping in the rafters:

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have been putting all the pullets that I can into the coop for almost a week now. Why isn't it working?

They're likely following the hen, if she wants to be outside then they will go too.

The main appeal I can see with that tree is it's a higher roost than any you can provide as the coop is fairly low in comparison.

Now, nobody come at me for this next question, because it's genuine: would it really be THAT dangerous for me to let them sleep in the tree?

Note that I do have dogs, idk if their scent would keep unwanted animals away, but it's worth mentioning.

Only you know what predators are in your area. Obviously anything that climbs like raccoons and opossums could get up there.

As far as the dogs are they and do they actually chase predators? If they're not physically present and able to do the job it doesn't deter predators.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Only you know what predators are in your area. Obviously anything that climbs like raccoons and opossums could get up there.

I have seen Owls and hawks, but none have aver gone after my chickens; not even the one who has been sleeping in the tree for like 2 years now.

As far as the dogs are they and do they actually chase predators? If they're not physically present and able to do the job it doesn't deter predators.

No, both dogs sleep inside at night. Although, during the day my German Shepherd would definitely go after any animal in the yard.