Chickens stay out after dark.

[Haficon]

Hello,

So I picked up some chicks a couple months ago 25 total, they are doing great and are 2-2 1/2 months old. I installed an automatic door for them and have it set to close now at 9:00pm. I had it set to close at sun set but they were not making it in so I set it to close at 9:00. They still are not making it in, I am no longer running the heat lamp as the temps are well above freezing and they are all fully feathered. So at night there is no light in the coop. Any tips on what I can do to get them inside before dark? I have had a predictor or two and want them safe inside their house. Picture attached is before the coop was finished, it now has a solid door, just so you have an idea of their house. Any help is greatly appreciated.


James

 

[Haficon]

Chicken coop is 6’w 8’L 8’ tall roof so they have a lot of room certainly is not cramped. They do not have boxes yet, the coop is basically just an empty shed that I built.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Welcome to BYC James. Do you feed them in the coop ? You can wait til bedtime to feed them in there and maybe throw a bale of straw in there whole til your ready to make some roosts . They seem awfully young to be free ranging .

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is there any natural or artificial light in the shed? I don't see any windows in the photos. IMO lack of light and ventilation are some of the top reasons chickens don't want to use their coop.

 

[RoosterML]

A simple night light in coop goes a long way

 

[Col1948]

If electricity is a problem to the coop, get one of those solar lights, they charge themselves up in the day and come on when the light fades.
I have a few that I put out in the day and bring them in at dusk, I place one at the bottom of my stairs and one at the top, enough light for me to see thus saving electricity lol.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I can't see any ventilation holes in this at all. You should put in a window and drill some holes for ventilation. Also, 6' x 8' is a little small for that many chickens. However, if you know you have predators then you likely will be losing birds if they are free ranging all day.

 

[aart]

A simple night light in coop goes a long way

This^^^
I've used a battery powered puck light to lure them in...
...turn it on an hour before roost time, then turn it off when you lock up after dark.
Chicken are not 'automatic', despite the auto doors, especially young chicks.
You may have to wait until they are older and fully habituated to cooping up at dusk to fully benefit from the auto door.

 

[fatcatx]

I usually have this problem too. Looks like other people have better/easier options but I always end up herding them in. I pick a time when it is light enough to easily see but low enough that they won't be tempted to come back out - usually about 45 min before dusk. It's a pain but after 4-5 nights they usually get the idea. Not sure this would be worth the hassle with so many.

 

[Mrs. K]

They are in the teen age mode and want to stay out at night! They will get better. move back the timer. Older birds do go to bed earlier.