Why Are My Chickens Not Going Into the Coop at Night?
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Why Are My Chickens Not Going Into the Coop at Night?
Chickens have a strong natural instinct to roost in an enclosed space at dusk, so if they are avoiding the coop, something is wrong inside it. According to Penn State Extension, the most common causes are pest infestations (especially red mites), poor ventilation causing heat or ammonia buildup, and overcrowding on the roost bars.
Red mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are the number one reason chickens suddenly refuse to enter a coop they have used without trouble. These parasites hide in cracks and crevices during the day and come out at night to feed on roosting birds. If your chickens are reluctant to go in at dusk but were fine before, check the roost bars, joints, and any crevices with a flashlight after dark. Red mites are tiny but visible, and you may see clusters of gray or red specks, or find blood smears on the roost bars.
Heat and poor airflow are common problems in our area during late summer. Even in Santa Cruz County, where summer highs are moderate, a poorly ventilated coop can trap enough heat to make birds uncomfortable. Chickens do not sweat and rely on panting to cool down, so a stuffy coop feels miserable to them. Make sure your coop has ventilation openings near the roofline that stay open year-round. Cross-ventilation is ideal.
Overcrowding is another frequent issue. UC ANR recommends a minimum of 4 square feet of coop floor space per standard-size chicken, with 8 to 10 inches of roost bar per bird. If birds are jostling for space or getting knocked off the roost, the lowest-ranking birds may choose to sleep outside rather than fight for a spot.
New birds and young pullets sometimes need training. If you have recently moved birds to a new coop, they may not recognize it as home yet. For the first week, physically place them inside at dusk and close the door. Most birds learn the routine within three to five nights. Keeping them locked in the coop (with food and water) for two to three days when you first introduce them can help establish it as their safe space.
Finally, if a predator has visited the coop recently, your birds may associate it with danger. In Santa Cruz County, raccoons, ringtail cats, and weasels can all get into poorly secured coops. Check for signs of attempted entry and reinforce any weak points with hardware cloth and secure latches.
This week: After dark, inspect your roost bars with a flashlight for mites, check the coop temperature and airflow, and count whether you have enough roost space for every bird.
Keep Reading
- Designing a Predator-Proof Run for Your Garden Flock
- Predator-Proofing Your Flock in Santa Cruz County
- What Predator Is Getting Into My Coop at Night?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would chickens suddenly avoid a coop they used to like?
Birds instinctively want to roost in an enclosed space at dusk, so refusing usually means something inside is wrong. Red mites that hide by day and feed at night are the most common culprit, followed by trapped heat, poor airflow, or crowding.
How do I check for red mites?
Inspect the roost bars and nearby cracks and crevices after dark with a flashlight, looking for tiny gray or red specks and small blood smears. Treating the birds and cleaning the coop thoroughly usually brings them back inside.
How do I get new birds to use the coop?
New or relocated chickens often need training, so physically place them on the roost at dusk for three to five nights in a row. Make sure there is enough room too, about 4 square feet of floor and 8 to 10 inches of roost bar per standard bird.
