Chickens refuse to go into coop, stay in run

[jschultheiss]

I have read several threads regarding chickens refusing to go into the coop at night. I have a coop with a 6 foot run included, that extends below the actual coop. The chickens have been in the coop for 2 months now, however they refuse to get in the actual coop section, they stay in the run, usually below the coop. They are safe being in the run section, as it is secure from predators, but they have NEVER gone into the actual coop. This worries me as they will be laying eggs in October/November and their nesting boxes are in the coop. Why would they never go into the coop, instead preferring to stay in the run?
Thanks!

 

[Nicole01]

I would physically set them in the coop one by one after dark. Eventually they will get it and go in there on their own. It may take a while depending how stubborn your flock is.

I've had to kick mine out of the coop and into the run the last 3 due to the heat! My flock is pretty cranky over the switch. My run is pretty secure also with two strong wires both buried in the ground. I also have roosts in my run too.

The only time I had issues with egg laying is constant free ranging. They start making their own nests outside the coop.:/

You can put fake eggs or golf balls in the nest boxes and they will see that's where they are suppose to lay. I did this when I got my first flock.

 

[jschultheiss]

Thank you so much! I will give it a try. I am from Texas, so the heat may be why they are choosing to stay under the coop instead of in it. We have had a few unseasonably cool evenings, so I had hoped they were spending the night in the coop. Looking inside it looks untouched. I really thank you for the pointers...these are my first chickens. They do free-range all day, so I will try to get them use to the nesting boxes before they start laying eggs.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Treat them to Happy Hen Treat (freeze dried mealworms) in the coop. First feed it to them (treat), it won't take long they'll do anything for that treat. Then condition them with the shaking of the container, soon all you need to do is shake that container and they will come running. HHT is my training/taming tool, works great. My 6 pack know it's bedtime and usually hanging around the coop waiting, they are in before I get a chance to open the container. They are fun...

 

[Rice and Chicken]

My hens are now a month old and just being put outside. They have refused to go in the coop without me putting them in and closing them up. They seem to be really mad at me. We've had 2 days of heavy downpours and they still won't go in. I have gone out and physically put them in and locked them up. Should I? They've never seen rain before.

 

[aart]

My hens are now a month old and just being put outside. They have refused to go in the coop without me putting them in and closing them up. They seem to be really mad at me. We've had 2 days of heavy downpours and they still won't go in. I have gone out and physically put them in and locked them up. Should I? They've never seen rain before.

Good to do for the first week or so.
Do you have other chickens in the coop?
How big is coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would really help us help you.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @Rice and Chicken
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Vickischics]

Good to do for the first week or so.
Do you have other chickens in the coop?
How big is coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would really help us help you.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @Rice and Chicken
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3212559

I wish more people would add it. I understand the reason why people don't but, it is So incredibly helpful when people ask question or need help. A general Geo like the state or anything is helpful most of the time.

 

[Rice and Chicken]

Thank you, I'm not tech-savvy, I apologize. I live in Kentucky, my 5 little girls were a birthday gift from my daughter. I have no other chickens. She also got me the coop, it's small, not sure about the size but right now they fit fine, I've attached a picture (I think). I have been taking them in the house at night since I've had them (they've had their own room but in a box ) My husband and I take them out every morning. They were only kept in the run built into the coop until I completed the larger run (that their coop is now in). The run is 9x12 (not the one on the coop) They prefer to sleep outside huddled up together but I prefer they sleep in the coop.