Well I don't have windows in my coops, so unless you want a window in your coop no need to add one now. I don't turn on a light at dusk either, and my roosts are about 4 feet off the ground. I do not think there is anything wrong with adding those things if you want, but not sure about addressing the problem.
And what you feed them has nothing to do with them roosting. Also they will not be warmer roosting in the coop if they are in the coop they will be fine. Personally I give mine more grains, because I think the eggs taste better.
I think they have a notion, chickens are very notional. I have a BA that always creates her own nest on the floor, and nothing I do can break it. She always picks a clean spot, and I gave up worrying about it. For the last three weeks, I have had a pullet laying in the left hand box. But this week, a new bird came into lay, and they both laid 3 nests to the right. That will probably be the favorite for a while.
I think that if this bothers you, go down and put them up on the roosts by hand 2-3 nights, and I think they will get the right notion. Once they go to sleep they will be easy to handle. But I will admit, that little battery light might do the trick too - I have read it on here before. And you will only have to do it, until they find the roosts.
This is an elevated coop, correct. It might be they think they are roosting, silly birds.
But really I think that even if you do nothing... they will start to roost on their own in time.
Mrs K
And what you feed them has nothing to do with them roosting. Also they will not be warmer roosting in the coop if they are in the coop they will be fine. Personally I give mine more grains, because I think the eggs taste better.
I think they have a notion, chickens are very notional. I have a BA that always creates her own nest on the floor, and nothing I do can break it. She always picks a clean spot, and I gave up worrying about it. For the last three weeks, I have had a pullet laying in the left hand box. But this week, a new bird came into lay, and they both laid 3 nests to the right. That will probably be the favorite for a while.
I think that if this bothers you, go down and put them up on the roosts by hand 2-3 nights, and I think they will get the right notion. Once they go to sleep they will be easy to handle. But I will admit, that little battery light might do the trick too - I have read it on here before. And you will only have to do it, until they find the roosts.
This is an elevated coop, correct. It might be they think they are roosting, silly birds.
But really I think that even if you do nothing... they will start to roost on their own in time.
Mrs K