Yet another 'chickens not sleeping in the coop' question...should I worry?

[townchicks]

This is why pictures are so helpful. I would start by changing the roost, remove the top two boards and replace one of them, midway between where they are now. That may help reduce fighting on the roosts. Now I'm going to be brutally honest, in hopes of saving you major heartbreak in the future. Your run is nicely set up, but it is not predator proof. Sadly, due to the name, chicken wire fools many folks into thinking it is good for making runs. However, it is not strong enough to prevent many predators from breaking in. You do want to use 1/2 inch hardware cloth to enclose the run fully. You can just put it right over the chicken wire. Meanwhile, or instead of, keep the hens in the coop at night, moving them if you have to. Can you close your pop door securely at night? You will want to.

 

[RojoMarz]

My chickens did not like the ladder roost style, when I had one. I switched it out for a single long roost (over poop board) and a ramp they can use for accessing the roost.

 

[OrahSmiles]

This is why pictures are so helpful. I would start by changing the roost, remove the top two boards and replace one of them, midway between where they are now. That may help reduce fighting on the roosts. Now I'm going to be brutally honest, in hopes of saving you major heartbreak in the future. Your run is nicely set up, but it is not predator proof. Sadly, due to the name, chicken wire fools many folks into thinking it is good for making runs. However, it is not strong enough to prevent many predators from breaking in. You do want to use 1/2 inch hardware cloth to enclose the run fully. You can just put it right over the chicken wire. Meanwhile, or instead of, keep the hens in the coop at night, moving them if you have to. Can you close your pop door securely at night? You will want to.

Thank you for your honesty and clarity. I'll re-arrange the roost. Our thinking was that we live in a suburb in an area where predators don't seem to have a major presence. But, since you sound like you've been around the block way more than I have, I'll look into heeding your warnings and making it more secure and closing the door at night too. Appreciate you!

 

[OrahSmiles]

My chickens did not like the ladder roost style, when I had one. I switched it out for a single long roost (over poop board) and a ramp they can use for accessing the roost.

Thank you for sharing your experience! Helpful to think about other options like this.

 

[townchicks]

Thank you for your honesty and clarity. I'll re-arrange the roost. Our thinking was that we live in a suburb in an area where predators don't seem to have a major presence. But, since you sound like you've been around the block way more than I have, I'll look into heeding your warnings and making it more secure and closing the door at night too. Appreciate you!

I totally get it. I live in a suburb also, and it seems so safe. I haven't seen a raccoon around for probably 15 years, I have dogs so they tend to steer clear, except, my neighbor behind me has seen them on our mutual fence, at night, so yeah, they are still around. Coyotes have been seen on ring cameras all over our town, including my own street. It's shocking how much wildlife is around after dark. I saw a tv show not long ago, about foxes that live in London. Right in the city, they climb on cars, walk along fences, walking on the sidewalk while pedestrians walking a dog were just on the other side of the street. It was cute, and funny, until you start to wonder if they're in your neighborhood. I read the pest and predator posts, so I get a sense of what we are up against. Everything likes chicken.

 

[OrahSmiles]

I totally get it. I live in a suburb also, and it seems so safe. I haven't seen a raccoon around for probably 15 years, I have dogs so they tend to steer clear, except, my neighbor behind me has seen them on our mutual fence, at night, so yeah, they are still around. Coyotes have been seen on ring cameras all over our town, including my own street. It's shocking how much wildlife is around after dark. I saw a tv show not long ago, about foxes that live in London. Right in the city, they climb on cars, walk along fences, walking on the sidewalk while pedestrians walking a dog were just on the other side of the street. It was cute, and funny, until you start to wonder if they're in your neighborhood. I read the pest and predator posts, so I get a sense of what we are up against. Everything likes chicken.

Totally. I've heard of a coyote nearby and know they're out there. I suppose just wasn't taking the threat to our little flock as seriously as I should have. Makes sense they're seen wandering around, seeing as foxes and coyotes and all those critters are losing their habitat and food sources to development. Thank you for the wakeup call to protect the hens in my care.

 

[Mrs. K]

Mine never liked the ladder roost, and would all crowd on the top balancing on one leg so to speak to get all of them up there.

I would take the lower roosts and place the the same level as your highest roost. Another way to add feet to the roost is to run it kitty corner, it is longer on the diagonal, and pulls birds away from the walls.

Mrs K

 

[rosemarythyme]

I agree about redoing the roost, though mine's ladder style and it's not an issue. But it looks like the rungs might be too close to the each other which means birds can pick at each other. Ideally you want 14-16" horizontally between roosts. Top rung might be too close to wall? - for that you want at least 12" between roost and wall.

Agree also about chicken wire especially around raccoons. It's also easy access for mice and rats.

What's your climate like? I see a good ventilation gap above the human door (though I don't see any sort of wire over it for protection) but the small holes on the other 3 walls aren't adding much airflow. You have 2 "windows" but they're mostly covered so there's almost no airflow there either. Since the birds are choosing to stay outside they may be telling you it's too stuffy in there.

 

[OrahSmiles]

Mine never liked the ladder roost, and would all crowd on the top balancing on one leg so to speak to get all of them up there.

I would take the lower roosts and place the the same level as your highest roost. Another way to add feet to the roost is to run it kitty corner, it is longer on the diagonal, and pulls birds away from the walls.

Mrs K

Thank you for your helpful response and guidance, Mrs K

 

[OrahSmiles]

I agree about redoing the roost, though mine's ladder style and it's not an issue. But it looks like the rungs might be too close to the each other which means birds can pick at each other. Ideally you want 14-16" horizontally between roosts. Top rung might be too close to wall? - for that you want at least 12" between roost and wall.

Agree also about chicken wire especially around raccoons. It's also easy access for mice and rats.

What's your climate like? I see a good ventilation gap above the human door (though I don't see any sort of wire over it for protection) but the small holes on the other 3 walls aren't adding much airflow. You have 2 "windows" but they're mostly covered so there's almost no airflow there either. Since the birds are choosing to stay outside they may be telling you it's too stuffy in there.

Thank you for your response! I live in Western Washington outside of Seattle, the climate is mild in general with pops of cold (teens-20's) or hot (80's and rare 90s) with the seasons, but mostly somewhere in the middle...generally 40-50's and damp in the darker months, pleasant in the lighter ones.
Certainly something to consider that the hens might be feeling stuffy. The 'window' coverings are perforated so there's a small amount of airflow going through those...perhaps that's not quite enough with the holes along the walls and spaces in the door! I'll look into making that adjustment too.