Chickens sleep in the tree over coop rather then in it !

We threw together a chicken coop for our chickens and they would rather use it to get into the tree to sleep rather then go inside the coop.

[@PcolaProServices]

😂 like kids playing with the box, not the toy

[@michaelpaquette591]

Door also appears to short top to bottom for the chickens you have. I would fence them in for awhile after making the changes and then they will do it by habit.

[@blackcitroenlove]

They love the nice breeze on their feathers and the swaying helps them snooze :3

[@michaelpaquette591]

Are there perches inside and a ramp to the front door. If the spacing of the perch is to close to the wall they will not use it. Definitely a ramp to the door also. Looks to me they can’t find the way in …

[@szaki]

I guess, chickens feel safer on the tree. If attacked, they can branch hop to get away from predators!

[@blackcitroenlove]

That makes great sense! They have more control than being confined.

[@michaelpaquette591]

A secure door in the front also helps prevent predators. Close once everyone is in….

[@alexpinnantonio3625]

Great video, pal. Those chickens are amazing.

[@lobopix_]

One after the other up they go. Never seen, or heard of, this behavior before. An obvious way to keep safe from foxes in the wild?

[@davidking1765]

I got three chicken in South Africa , they also sleep in three, I just worry about the raining nights

[@kentuckybred1]

So, after two years , how long did it take a raccoon to find their spot and pick em off ?

[@gregorycampbell694]

You need a ramp for them to walk into the coop, or a hole above the lower ledge the birds are walking on. I assume there isn't one to keep cats out.

[@shousden84]

They needed to be cooped completely for several weeks then they would learn to go back in it at night.

[@jeanieward9660]

I have one chicken refuses to go in hen house with rest she sleeps in tree by hen house

[@ImprezaRS2002]

Once the leaves fell off the tree they all moved inside. Now the leaves are coming back they have been slowly moving back out into the tree. Maybe half and half and with the rooster staying on top of the coop roof.

[@bonesalive]

Having had similar experience with hens, we are now planning/constructing a 4 metres high roofed perch accessed by 3 lower steps/perches. Its a coop-less setup. Learned from your video, thank you. Hens like a close near vertical climb and descent. We must afford them protection from wildcats, minx, foxes (central portugal). Where are your hens laying ?

[@ImprezaRS2002]

Sounds like a neat idea /plan. Like I said in another comment they liked the tree until the leaves fell off then them went into the coop. We had a little more then half lay eggs in the nest boxes in the coop and the rest of the on top of the square hay stack. We have since put up a set of nest boxes just before the stack of hay and they have since started laying in there instead of the square bale stack.

[@fragglefknrock7568]

Mine jump up on the coop off a wheel barrow. I put a wood ladder underneath so they can easily get down.

[@Mitchhwebb]

I have the EXACT same issue. I worry about severe weather and owls...any tips?

[@ImprezaRS2002]

So we had a hurricane go though and some went into the coop. After that pasted they went back to the tree. Once the leaves fell off the tree they all went into the coop. All but the rooster ended up staying in the coop. He would be in the tree or right on top of the coop. You could try keeping them inside the coop for longer 3-4 weeks so they get to know it's there home.

[@tinchetsu]

Lol. I guess is safer for them going high in a tree.

[@ImprezaRS2002]

lol I guess so but once the fall came and the tree was bare with no leaves they did move into the coop.