Why Won’t My Chickens Sleep in Their Coop at Night?

Answering the question “why won’t my chickens sleep in their coop?” can be baffling. But fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we delve into common reasons your feathered friends might prefer the backyard over their designated quarters. 

From coop location importance to addressing health concerns, we’ve got you covered. Why won’t my chickens sleep in their coop? Let’s find out together.

Why Won’t My Chickens Sleep in Their Coop?

Are your chickens not heading back into their coop when the sun sets? Do they prefer to sleep in your backyard? There are some common reasons why this may be happening:

• An overcrowded coop with no available roosting poles.
• It’s a new coop your flock is unsure of.
• Predators such as snakes, foxes, rats or mice.
• Red mites.
• Older or more dominant chickens are bullying those lower on the pecking order.
• The coop is dirty.
• One chicken is injured and has trouble using ramps or steps to enter the coop.
• The automatic coop door closes too early and latecomers are denied access.
• A broody hen has made her nest outside of the coop.

The Importance of Proper Coop Location

The spot you choose to place the coop can determine whether your chickens want to use it.

Temperature

Chickens enjoy lounging in the sun but they’re not fans of baking in it all day. A location that offers both light supply and shade will let them bask or cool off as they please.

Distance

Accessibility is key. Place the coop too far from where your chickens hang out during the day and watch them protest by refusing to trek back at night.

Keep it close to their daily wander zones and voila – happier chooks who know where their bed is.

Safety Concerns

Your chickens may avoid the coop if it is located near something they are afraid of. For example, if it’s located right next to a dog pen where your pup is barking at them constantly.

Once you work out what is frightening them, you can either relocate the perceived threat or move the coop to a different section of your yard.

The Role of Coop Design

Making sure you have a suitable coop will help ensure your chickens want to sleep there each night. 

Space

Chickens aren’t fans of cramped spaces or dark corners. They need room to stretch their wings – literally. A well-designed chicken coop offers ample space, proper ventilation, and plenty of natural light. 

Predator Resistant

Unwanted guests can be highly stressful for chickens. Keep your flock secure by ensuring your coop will keep out both larger and smaller predators hens fear.

Prevent animals from getting in by having heavy duty steel weld mesh on the sides and fill in any small openings.

A motion sensitive light installed just outside the coop will keep away night time visitors and anti-tunnel skirts lie flat to stop anything digging its way in.

A Place To Nest and Rest

Nesting boxes are a quiet space where hens can lay eggs. Ensure your coop offers at least one nesting box for every 3 laying hens, with soft bedding on the base. 

Also ensure your coop has enough roosting spots so each hen has a place to sleep securely at night above ground level—mimicking their natural instincts to find safety from ground predators by sleeping up high.

Weather Protection

Ensure your chickens feel safe in any weather. Your chickens’ coop should have a fully covered roof to protect them from rain and excessive heat. It should also feature enclosed areas to escape from the wind and cold weather overnight.

Identifying and Addressing Health Issues

Are your chickens suddenly avoiding their coop? You might be dealing with an unexpected health issue. Let’s dive in and figure out what’s going on.

Injury

If older birds have injured themselves, they may be physically struggling to access your coop. This is especially common for coops that require your chicken to use steps, ramps or a ladder to enter.

If you suspect this may be the case, monitor your birds closely for any signs of pain or injury. This may include limping, trouble flapping her wings, or being less active than usual. 

If you find an issue, you will need to contact your local vet for treatment. You may also need to make adjustments to the coop to make access easier.

Red Mites

If your flock suddenly decides to avoid the coop, consider that you may have mites. These tiny critters can make life miserable for chickens, leading them to seek refuge elsewhere.

Regularly inspect both your birds and their living quarters for these pests. If you do have mites, you will need to replace all bedding and then apply a mite treatment to both the chickens and their coop. 

Training Your Chicken To Sleep In Their Coop

If your chickens stopped sleeping in their coop, a little training can go a long way. With a bit of patience and the right strategy, you’ll have them marching into their bedtime boudoir without a fuss.

The Importance of Routine

Much like us, chickens thrive on consistency. Let them out of their coop at the same time every morning and round them up to go back inside at the same time each afternoon.

It is best to put them to bed at sunset. If you do this each day, eventually they will learn to put themselves away when they see the sun going down.

Food as an Incentive

As the sun begins to set, lure your flock back into their coop using their favourite food. I find tinned corn works wonders with my flock at home! Like training a puppy, this shows your hens that if they go into their coop at bedtime, they will be rewarded with food.

As time goes on, offer fewer and fewer treats until they eventually go in on their own. Start this training from a young age for maximum impact.

Toni’s Wrap

Why won’t my chickens sleep in their coop? In this blog, we’ve uncovered common reasons why your flock may be avoiding their coop.

Take great care of your girls by making changes to your coop’s location and design – this can help encourage your flock to use your coop again.

Avoiding the coop could also be a symptom of an underlying health issue so keep an eye out for symptoms and contact your local vet if you suspect anything is wrong.

Chicken keepers can train their birds to go into their coop at dusk, although remember chooks are notoriously stubborn! Check out the Somerzby chicken coop range for quality enclosures your flock will want to sleep in every night.