coryn
In the Brooder
I have a flock of 12 hens and a rooster. They have a spacious coop and the backyard is fenced. I have an automated door that opens early and closes in the late evening.
Over the summer months, my flock has taken to camping out in the yard, about half of them sleeping on various perch spots rather than going into the coop. For a few weeks, I chased them back in every night, but it didn't change their behavior.
Safety-wise, they are OK at night with the dog on patrol and them being next to the house.
We are traveling in September and I want to get them back into the coop routine so they are safe at night. The dog cannot be here alone (a family member will visit every other day to work and water, as he has done in the past.)
Long story short, does anyone have any ideas on how to get them back into the coop at night? Should I lock them in for a few days?
Over the summer months, my flock has taken to camping out in the yard, about half of them sleeping on various perch spots rather than going into the coop. For a few weeks, I chased them back in every night, but it didn't change their behavior.
Safety-wise, they are OK at night with the dog on patrol and them being next to the house.
We are traveling in September and I want to get them back into the coop routine so they are safe at night. The dog cannot be here alone (a family member will visit every other day to work and water, as he has done in the past.)
Long story short, does anyone have any ideas on how to get them back into the coop at night? Should I lock them in for a few days?