Chickens not going back in House.. Help!

[horsesnchkns]

My flock is about 15 weeks old. I had 11 pullets and a rooster. I had just started letting them out of their "house" (12 x 12) out into their secured yard. (50' x 50') (see pic) - I'd put them up at night easily. (7 grain bread worked!) - a couple of times, I left them out all night... as I wasn't able to make it out there. (long story, we're building a home on the property, we live less than 5 mins away) I'm over there at least once a day, often twice. Anyway..

last week, one night when I did not put them up, a raccoon got my rooster. I obviously locked my girls up and did not let them out at all the next day. then the next night it got 3 hens while they were secured in their house. So, yes, the raccoon dug her way in. I trapped and caught the raccoon and have spent hours and alot of sweat to put ALOT of road base around all edges to keep predators from digging in. and more wood and wire inside to keep everything out. So, I know they are safe, but they I guess don't know it yet.

I bought a new rooster, 7 - 8 months old and added him late last week. That went beautifully.

We (my dad lives nearby and helps me out) started letting them out during the day again over the weekend, but I have a really hard time getting them back in!! They do NOT want to go back in the coop. (I'm back out there around 6pm, still very light outside) I have told my dad to not let them out in the mornings anymore for now.. My solution is to keep them "locked in" for a while to make them realize they are safe. (seriously, we covered every potential place ANYTHING could get in. So unless something comes with wire cutters and a pick ax, I think we're ok.)

OK, as I write, I'm remembering something. There are some ants in there from some leftover carnage. I need to kill the ants don't I? I was hoping the chickens would eat them. (they won't) I don't want to spray my sand with pesticide, and I don't want to put granules down inside. I did put granules down around the outside of the hen house behind.. where they can't get to... I put Seven dust down yesterday, not sure if that will kill the ants or not. They aren't roosting on their roost, but instead jumping up on a ledge of the wall, making a huge mess... UGH those darn raccoons!!!! Sorry for the long post. I'm frustrated and a little unsure how to proceed.

should I get a fresh load of sand to put down to "cover up" whatever smells or whatever that might be left over?

(this is my first flock, in case you can't tell)

I truly value all of the experience and opinions on this forum. Thank you!

 

[silkiechicken]

They have bad memories from the coop, it will take a long time for them to want to go in. I found a solid floor lock up at dusk daily was the only way to keep the coons and rats away from my chickens. I didn't try a wire skirt, but that should also work to keep coons out. Locking them up for a week or two may reprogram them to go inside at night.

 

[horsesnchkns]

Thank you. Then, locking them up for a week or so is what I"ll do. I may build a small run, totally enclosed, within the yard, - so they can "come out" without being exposed to critters... maybe next paycheck.

 

[silkiechicken]

Chickens do get quite expensive when everything is out to eat them.

 

[nok13]

its also that lack of dark. chickens automatically look to roost when dusk out. my three house chickens have an open box of dirt that is with htem in the house. i take then outside in that box, turn them loose in the garden and at night, when its dark, i find them clumped together in the dirt box, i pick it up and carry back upstairs to the house. it took them a week to learn that the box is their home.

try putting a yummy treat in the coop and wait patiently for all to go in, everyday at the same time. animals like computers have to be programmed to regular times and actions. so the lighing is a cue, and the action is to go in the coop. when they go in the coop there should be lots of yummies for them as a treat for going inside. or teach them to go in a one way doorlike a cat door. not sure how but there must be a way. some people do the opposite. a one way door out so in the mrning the chickens go out on their own if the owner isnt able to get to the coop so early.