Chickens not going into coop at night

[Jyllb]

I'm fairly new to raising chickens. I have 10 and at least half do not go for into the coop at dusk or even pitch black!?? I thought they would just naturally do that? Do I have broken chickens? They are about 10 weeks old and have recently been free ranging in the run. I can't see myself, chicken wrangling to put them in every night and the can't stay out due to possible predators. What am I doing wrong here? Please don't laugh!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Is the coop brand new? If it is, you can assume that biting mites are not the problem.

There are different reasons why your girls are not going in, a bully picking on them, rats or other animals gaining entry, not enough perches, these are just some I can think of.

Sometimes, yeah...they are goofy and will stay out late. This is dangerous for them. Owls, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, foxes and the list goes on!

I installed a solar charged shed light, that I bought on Amazon. It has an on/off button, but if left on, will turn on at dusk. When my girls hang around outside late, the light will go on and they are drawn into the coop. After they all get up on the perches, I turn off the light, close the door and lock it. I say, "Nighty, night girls and Mr. Frito too".

You can hang a battery lantern or any light source that you have.

Hope this helps.

 

[aart]

I'm fairly new to raising chickens. I have 10 and at least half do not go for into the coop at dusk or even pitch black!?? I thought they would just naturally do that? Do I have broken chickens? They are about 10 weeks old and have recently been free ranging in the run. I can't see myself, chicken wrangling to put them in every night and the can't stay out due to possible predators. What am I doing wrong here? Please don't laugh!

Welcome to BYC!
First thought is...are there windows in the coop so that there's some light in there near dusk? They need to be able to see to get inside and on the roosts.
Not unusual tho, they may just need some practice.
You might have to wrangle them into the coop for a few nights or a week or so.
Or you can use a light to lure than as @Hen Pen Jem suggested.

Hopefully your coop is big enough with good enough ventilation for the 10 birds you have.
Crowding and stuffy air can keep them outside.

 

[chickens really]

Try going into the run and use a long stick to herd then into the Coop...Lock them in and let them out in the morning...

 

[Jyllb]

I blocked them from going under the coop last night and at dusk they ALL went in! I personally think it's from me showing each one how to walk up the ramp the night before! Lol what would minimum indoor coop square footage be for 10? Our coop is fairly big...

 

[Jyllb]

W

Welcome to BYC!
First thought is...are there windows in the coop so that there's some light in there near dusk? They need to be able to see to get inside and on the roosts.
Not unusual tho, they may just need some practice.
You might have to wrangle them into the coop for a few nights or a week or so.
Or you can use a light to lure than as @Hen Pen Jem suggested.

Hopefully your coop is big enough with good enough ventilation for the 10 birds you have.
Crowding and stuffy air can keep them outside.

Whats minimum recommended indoor size?

 

[chickens really]

Mine is a 8x12 and I gave 10 Brahma and Orpington with zero issues...Breed plays a big factor on space though...

 

[aart]

Whats minimum recommended indoor size?

It depends.....on a lot of things, there is no real carved in stone umber. 4sqft in coop and 10sqft in run is an oft repeated rule of thumb that is a good place to start, it is a bare minimum IMO.

Read this:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[MigraineMan]

Our chickens were "coop trained" for a week when they were transitioned out there this spring. Over the summer, they would all generally head into the coop for overnight. Recently, the Red Sex Links have been sleeping in the run on the roost, while the Black Australorps have been sleeping in the coop. I don't know if it's a pecking-order thing, but there's plenty of space for everyone in the coop.

I suspect behavior will change as temperatures drop.

 

[microchick]

I suspect that they are just being young and stupid. My young juveniles like to stay out and Chase bugs long after the old folks go to bed.

I agree. A light on in the coop will help. I find that after a few nights of rambunctious chicken chasing (oh yes doctor of course I'm exercising every day. I chase chickens) it suddenly clicks and they will go in on their own.