Chickens not returning to their coop at dusk

[Cuatro Pollos]

This morning I locked the chicks in the coop. By some weird circumstance, when I got home this afternoon, the electric door had opened and the chickens were in the run, happy as you please. So, obviously, one of my chicks knows how to hotwire the door! I didn't remove the battery, I just took one of the terminals off. I'll investigate later. Anyway, I went out at my usual 8:20. I took some scratch and shook it loudly and called "Chickie Girls In" several times. To my surprise three of the girls were already in the coop. The door (on a timer) closed on time. I reopened the door, tossed on some scratch, and easily put the other three girls in. Maybe...???

 

[Cuatro Pollos]

Well, we went out to eat for Fathers Day and didn't make it back until 8:30. The automatic door closes at 8:20. I expected to find the girls outside chirping away. Well, what I found was all but one chick safe and sound in the coop. The last girl, Lady Jane, was chirping at the door. When she saw me, she jumped up on the roosting bar. As soon as I opened the door she flew in to the coop. I wonder if she learned anything tonight?

 

[Bethel3330]

That's great! Congrats!