Will it work?

[Ole rooster]

Although I just finished my coop, I'm think of an addition on one end for a larger roost area. On the end I'm thinking of the putting the addition all I have there for an window about halfway up the wall. My question is if I built add that addition and extended the 12 inch window to the floor, that would make the door 12 inches X 35 inches. Would the hens know that was another door to a larger roost? Would they investigate or would I just be wasting my time and money. That would make the coop 5' X 12' with a roost area of 4'X5'.

Would it work? Will they go in on their own?

 

[emys]

Sure they will investigate, after they are through being terrified of it. Hehehe.

 

[7L Farm]

Sure it's always good to add more space. Adding this space will give the birds a place to run to when other birds start picking on them. Good idea!!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Who can predict what living animals will do? Chickens instinctively like to roost on the highest thing around, yet they are creatures of habit. They may switch on their own or they may continue roosting where they are now. Who can argue with the logic "I did not get eaten when I slept there last night, so it is a safe place to roost" as opposed to "Maybe that looks safer".

They will investigate it. They might start roosting in there on their own. You might have to physically move them over there for a while after bedtime until they decide that is a good place to sleep.

Is it a waste of money and time to build it? I'm a firm believer in the more spadce the better, at least up to a point, but the answer to that depends on your circumstances, how many you have, and how you manage them.