Why won't my chickens use the new coop?

[GarCan]

All of my chickens want to use the older small coop instead of a large newer one I just built. How do I get them to roost/use the larger less crowded coop?

 

[Mah1Mah1]

Have you tried blocking access to the smaller run? Also put plenty of food in the new run or figure out some way to deter them from the old run, worked for me.

Goodluck!

 

[GarCan]

I haven't blocked the small coop yet. I was hoping they would be so cramped up in one they would use both

 

[iwiw60]

If they're really stubborn you may have to move them all to the new coop and lock them in for 2-3 days. That way they will acclimate to their new coop...just thinkin'

 

[Aronia]

They might NOT LIKE THE SMELL.

 

[aart]

Block off the old and lock them in the new for 2-3 days / nights...that oughta do it.
They are creatures of habit, you need to help them create the habit of the new coop being 'home'.

 

[GarCan]

Ok. Thanks y'all. I will try it in a day or two if they are still stubborn.

 

[aart]

They're not being 'stubborn', that's a human trait....they are chickens....and following their instincts, you can work with their instincts if you know what they are.

 

[ILikeBirds]

They might NOT LIKE THE SMELL.

I'm not saying Aronia isn't right, but birds actually have a terrible sense of smell. It's their least powerful sense. I just built a new coop also so this was a lot of help for me also, thanks guys!

 

[Stacifay]

I see this question is old - but I was curious - how long did it take your chickens to acclimate to their new home? We built a new coop that is three times larger and run is 10x larger and my chickens did not use their house last night (we had a pretty nasty thunderstorm!) I was shocked this AM to look in their house and see there was not a single drop of poop to clean - ie - chickens did not use house overnight. They can not get to their old coop now, so hoping they start using the "mansion" my son and I took a month to build!! Thanks!