Chickens sitting at coop door

[jayhawkintx]

Recently moved my chickens out to the coop from brooder, couple of weeks at least now. When I did that I contained them to the coop for 5 days to learn home then let them out into the run. They seem to know home as they all go into the coop but they just pile up at the door most of the time when it gets dark I have went out and placed them on the roost a couple of times. Once they all were inside when I went to close the door and most roosted but then other nights they are back to sitting at the door. My main concern is that I want to install a auto door and with them just sitting there the door would close on them. I have seen others suggest a light inside the coop before sunset and leave it on for just a bit but this didnt seem to work as they just were more active maybe it was too bright? I think the flood lights from the house keep them at the door since that is the only light after dark.

Any ideas? Or will they just figure it out eventually and then at that point I can install the door?

Thanks.

 

[sourland]

You might try the light, but I think that eventually they will figure things out on their own.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

I would just shoo them away from the door and close it, they'll get the idea eventually.

Are there windows in the coop so they can see in there?
How old are they?

 

[jayhawkintx]

There is a window/door on the south side that has hardware cloth on it but it may not give enough light when the sun is setting. I have a add on coop built but not yet placed on that side that has two windows on the east and west side that may provide more light. Maybe not enough light for them to see to roost.

They are a little over 7 weeks old.

 

[Blooie]

Young birds going from the brooder to the coop often huddle in a pile together for a while yet. I put last year's chicks out at 5.5 weeks old and they did the same thing. For weeks. Every night! <sigh> What made that funny was that because it was still in the twenties for temps, I put a heat lamp in there for them. They weren't anywhere near it - they piled in front of the pop door. I did the old "put-em-on-the-roost-every-night routine too. Yeah, that worked well - NOT! I gave that up right quick. But eventually a couple of them decided the roost in the coop was actually a pretty nice place to spend the night. The rest followed.

Eventually they'll get it, so if they're not in any danger from predators while they lay in the doorway of the coop I don't think it's a huge issue unless you are in a big rush to get that door in.

 

[aart]

Oh they're just little babies yet!
Just shoo them away form door and close it.
Maybe make them a huddle box to sleep in if they are not roosting yet......
......or just keep putting them on the roost, takes awhile to make new habits and they sometimes need a little 'schooling'.

 

[naomi9252]

Did you figure it out? I have the same problem. It’s been a year now