Chicken won't go in to coop at night

[Kbeyer]

I got 13 baby chicks in April. Now, it is almost August, they are free ranging every afternoon. In the evenings, 12 of the chickens go in to the coop and I shut them in for the night. I can never find number 13 until I see her roaming the yard the next morning. I do have one rooster in the flock. Any ideas on how to get my girl to go home at night?

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

Does the area where the chickens are free ranging have trees? Have you looked up to find her? I used to have a couple chickens who liked to sleep in trees. I let them until one morning an eagle plucked one right out of the tree. That broke them of the habit. Not a method I recommend.

 

[Kbeyer]

Good idea! We are surrounded by trees, so I'll do some double checking tonight when I put the others in the coop.

 

[coach723]

Do you have a light in your coop? Putting a small lantern or flashlight inside near the door may encourage her to go in. Some chickens are extremely reluctant to go into a dark box. Once she gets in the habit, then you may be able to not use the light. Just put it out at a bit before dusk and then once they are all in you can take it out, or turn it off. This is how I get all my newbies to go in the coop until they know it's home.

 

[Kbeyer]

I've tried putting the light on, but perhaps I should leave it on a little longer to coax her in.

 

[aart]

How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics, inside and out, would be most helpful.

Have you sat and watched the nighttime ritual of cooping up,
or as I call it, the RoostTimeRumble?
You can learn a lot by watching this process....takes about an hour or so.
Guessing your straggler may be low bird in the pecking order.
An ~4mo cockerel could also be causing havoc as his hormones start to flow.

Oh, and...Welcome to BYC! @Kbeyer
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[cmom]

My chicks have lights from the time they hatch. I have night lights in all of my coops. I would give them some kind of treat. Mine would go in for treats and get to where they are watching me to see when I bring them. Now they go in whether I give them treats or not. I have some that like to stay out longer but they all will go into their coop.

 

[Kbeyer]

How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics, inside and out, would be most helpful.

Have you sat and watched the nighttime ritual of cooping up,
or as I call it, the RoostTimeRumble?
You can learn a lot by watching this process....takes about an hour or so.
Guessing your straggler may be low bird in the pecking order.
An ~4mo cockerel could also be causing havoc as his hormones start to flow.

Oh, and...Welcome to BYC! @Kbeyer
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1859988

Thanks for the reply! Our coop is actually a small barn about the size of a double garage. It is divided into two sides. One side is chickens, the other side is empty right now, but is sometimes home to a few baby beef calves. I found my straggler last night roosting in the empty side. Our dog and the rooster generally round up the chickens at night. No worries about the dog, he knows to never harm the chickens. I'll look more closely tonight to see where my straggler is.