Chickens need to be put in coop every night !!

[Mama fluff]

I have a mix of silkies and showgirls and 3 out of 22 have to physically be put into coop every night and they are not new to this routine they are 8 months old ! I’ve had them from hatch , I have two coops each 8x10 so they are not overcrowded, they wait for me every night to put them on roosts while everyone else is already in ! I dont know if they can’t get up on roosts for lack of eyesight or something else ! Most of my chicken do roost however I have 4 that prefer the floor ! Them roosting or not is not the issue I just want them in the coop at night ! I honestly don’t mind putting them to bed every night cause I go down to lock up anyway however now that it’s getting colder I worry that if I’m not home at dusk that they will sit out in the run in the cold all night till I get to them which has happened before but it was warm out ! Once I came home and they were still out roosting on a log in the pouring down rain !!!! Soaked!! I had to dry them and put them in !! Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

 

[ValerieJ]

Wow, creatures of habit. Their routine is special attention from mom at bedtime? Have you tried leading them in with treats instead of picking them up? Perhaps you could start a new habit for them that way.

 

[Mama fluff]

That’s a good idea although I don’t need treats they follow me right in when I go down and wait in line to be picked up and put on roost! Lol it’s if I’m not home to do that that I’m worried about they will be out in run all night if I’m not there to put them in!

 

[SurferchickinSB]

That’s a good idea although I don’t need treats they follow me right in when I go down and wait in line to be picked up and put on roost! Lol it’s if I’m not home to do that that I’m worried about they will be out in run all night if I’m not there to put them in!

That’s really weird! I’ve never heard of that! My chickens always go in the coop as soon as it starts getting dark. That must be difficult!

 

[Mama fluff]

I know!!! It’s just the 3, all the rest do! I wonder if it’s cause it’s dark in coop? Cause tonight I had left the light on and they were inside waiting, as soon as they saw me they came out to me then followed me back in ! Lol it is frustrating though cause I feel like I can’t go anywhere around that time! Like for instance thanksgiving is at my parents at 3:00 , either I locked them all in early or they will be out in whatever weather till I get home !

 

[ValerieJ]

I know!!! It’s just the 3, all the rest do! I wonder if it’s cause it’s dark in coop? Cause tonight I had left the light on and they were inside waiting, as soon as they saw me they came out to me then followed me back in ! Lol it is frustrating though cause I feel like I can’t go anywhere around that time! Like for instance thanksgiving is at my parents at 3:00 , either I locked them all in early or they will be out in whatever weather till I get home !

Sounds like you have your answer. A light. But not a bright one, something like a nightlight should do it.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I know!!! It’s just the 3, all the rest do! I wonder if it’s cause it’s dark in coop? Cause tonight I had left the light on and they were inside waiting, as soon as they saw me they came out to me then followed me back in ! Lol it is frustrating though cause I feel like I can’t go anywhere around that time! Like for instance thanksgiving is at my parents at 3:00 , either I locked them all in early or they will be out in whatever weather till I get home !

Maybe leave the light on and see if they go in every night and then after that if they go in every night, maybe order an automatic door that will shut at the time you program it to. I have an automatic chicken door from Flemings Outdoors.

 

[Cryss]

I always lock new birds inside the coop with food and water for at least a week, longer if it doesn't work the first time. They get to feeling really comfortable, it becomes "home". They also learn there way around well enough to know their way in the dark. When you finally let them out and night comes they will go home. I've let them stay as long as 3 weeks once. Works every time.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

The dim light should help. Are the silkies big enough to get on the roost by themselves? Maybe put a shorter one up, lower, so they can reach it easily. And reward everyone who gets up on the roost.

I would lock them up on Thanksgiving. If they are like mine, they will complain (loudly) but give up after while and go about their business.

Welcome to BYC! So happy to have you here.