Chicken behavior?

[OmnipotentOrpington]

This is a question that stems purely from my curiosity, not one that needs a rapid answer. We've started letting the chickens out of their 50 sq. ft run (3 of them) in the evenings fro about two hours. After that period, it's time for the incredibly difficult task of bringing them back into the run. Making us look foolish, and the chickens freaked out. It's important to know that their food and water are in the run. The run's door is open, and they can easily access it. However, last evening, they went into the run by themselves. We were interested to see what they would do, so we left the door open so they could easily jump right out. Even after they had gotten their share of food and water, they stayed in the run. My question is- did they do it for the food, and just didn't want to go back out? Or did they go in because they knew we would herd them in and (sometimes) have to pick them up, causing stress on them? Or am I giving them more credit then they deserve>

 

[SueT]

Chickens naturally go back in when the sun gets low enuf in the sky. But if you had a super tasty treat, such as sunflower seeds, you could probably teach them to come in when called. If you don't try to force them in too early, you can probably gain some control over the routine.....

 

[OmnipotentOrpington]

They aren't going into the coop (until we finish it, we bring them in ourselves) but rather into the place they've been all day.

 

[April0617]

I'd bet it's habit We've had hawk issues so we've been moving the girls back into their covered run around 6 at night when we go in for dinner (they still are out in the run until they choose to go to bed when the sun sets). I give them treats to get them to follow me in. They've started calling for me around that time and come running when I bring them their snacks now.

 

[OmnipotentOrpington]

My chickens are VERY human-like in their desire of food. Mealworms? No. Black Fly Larvae? No. Greens? No. Tortilla chips doused in salt? YESS!! So we try to avoid giving them food. I'll follow your advice tonight, though!

 

[Folly's place]

Forget about those tortilla chips out there!
They want to roost for the night, but your coop isn't ready yet? Reasonable treats, when calling them, helps a lot. They will start roosting in trees soon, if things aren't arranged for them soon.
Mary

 

[OmnipotentOrpington]

The coop is ready. It's built, we just haven't connected the run to it. For now, we just move them manually.

 

[chrissynemetz]

The coop is ready. It's built, we just haven't connected the run to it. For now, we just move them manually.

Have you tried leaving the door open to the coop in the evenings to see if they'll go in on their own?