Adult chickens suddenly stopped going in coop at night!

[Fire Captain]

My girls are 11 weeks old and reside in a 10x20 run in which a stand alone coop with a roost is situated. An automatic door has been installed with a light inside the coop on a timer that turns on an hour before dark. For a few days they, on their on, entered their coop, but now I’m finding some of them stranded outside in the dark after the door has closed. I don’t think they’ve been harassed by any predators. I have to check on them every night and use a bright flashlight beamed on the door sensor to open it. Should just leave them outside? Temps are in the low 40s.
Any recommendations?

 

[Mrs. K]

Might reset your door, so as to give the girls a little more time to go in. Just like human teen agers, the 11 weeks like to hang out as late as possible. I would not leave them outside, as they are very habitual, and that will become the habit.

 

[Fire Captain]

T

Might reset your door, so as to give the girls a little more time to go in. Just like human teen agers, the 11 weeks like to hang out as late as possible. I would not leave them outside, as they are very habitual, and that will become the habit.

 

[Fire Captain]

Thank you...I’m not sure how to reset the door as the sensor is triggered by sundown. I’ll check with the manufacturer.