Chickens Hide Outside At Night

[herebynightfall]

I have had my chicks outside for almost a week now. The weather out here is beautiful, so we have the coop mostly closed, except for a small chicken-sized hole.

But, I've noticed the chicks keep wandering into their run (closed to prevent predators) at night. Once there, they will huddle in the far corner and sleep until either I lead them back or morning comes.

I have the brooder light on at night, to provide warmth because it has been 50 or colder the past few days. Could they be trying to get away from the light? Do I need to close the chicken door at night? Or are they fine outside at night, since the run is enclosed?

 

[Chicken Goddess]

Chickens will normaly go to bed by themselves at night , they would walk inside their Hen house.
Chickens do huddle together to keep them warm at night (my chickens do it to in the hen house)
Not sure why they dont go into the coop. It could be the light, chooks can easily awake or not sleep to noises and unexpected lights.
Try removing the light and see what happens. If not, carry them to their bed so they know where it is.
If you want to keep them warm, which is recommened, put a heat pad underneath their hay. Thats what i do to my Hens.
Or simply keep the babys inside your house in a hay box. Thats what i did to my 3 week old Leghorn.