Chickens will not go in coop at night.

[RosieRicketts]

Today at 8:10 PM
I kept my chickens in their coop for a week once I moved them outside. When I finally let them out they will not go back in at night. I have tried everything, and I do not want to have to put them in the coop every single night. Does anyone have any pro tips?? I have tried putting a light in the coop. I dont know what else to do.

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[MildlyOffensiveChicken]

Today at 8:10 PM
I kept my chickens in their coop for a week once I moved them outside. When I finally let them out they will not go back in at night. I have tried everything, and I do not want to have to put them in the coop every single night. Does anyone have any pro tips?? I have tried putting a light in the coop. I dont know what else to do.

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I yell “chook! Chook! Chook!” And toss a small bit of scratch inside and they usually run inside. Someone on here said they play the same song each night and they run to the coop when it plays.

One of my BCM cocker requires encouragement by giving him no other path, or being picked up

Good luck!

 

[pvchicken1]

Today at 8:10 PM
I kept my chickens in their coop for a week once I moved them outside. When I finally let them out they will not go back in at night. I have tried everything, and I do not want to have to put them in the coop every single night. Does anyone have any pro tips?? I have tried putting a light in the coop. I dont know what else to do.

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Keep them locked in the coop for 2 weeks then let them out again.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photos of set up? Is the coop well lit enough that they can see to navigate inside? Well ventilated? If there's a ramp or steps, do they know how to get up and down?

 

[3KillerBs]

Are you trying to put them into the coop before it's actually dark?

I had that problem with my chicks last year until one evening when I was busy at the usual time and went out late -- finding them inside all on their own.

 

[kimdk]

What are their ages? When I have teenagers, they require a little help going in the coop with the adults. I need to physically put them in for a few weeks,but eventually they get the idea. If they are adults, they might have seen something ( rat,snake) that scared them. Lock them in again for a week or two.

 

[RosieRicketts]

Photos of set up? Is the coop well lit enough that they can see to navigate inside? Well ventilated? If there's a ramp or steps, do they know how to get up and down?

Yes, to well ventilated, well lit, and they go up and down on the ramp all day, but never go back in to the coop. I only have 3 and they have tons of room inside the coop.

 

[RosieRicketts]

They are only about 12 weeks. That makes me feel better that they may still be a bit too young.

What are their ages? When I have teenagers, they require a little help going in the coop with the adults. I need to physically put them in for a few weeks,but eventually they get the idea. If they are adults, they might have seen something ( rat,snake) that scared them. Lock them in again for a week or two.

 

[aart]

and they go up and down on the ramp all day, but never go back in to the coop.

Where do they go when it get dark?
How long have they been in the coop?

 

[RosieRicketts]

Are you trying to put them into the coop before it's actually dark?

I had that problem with my chicks last year until one evening when I was busy at the usual time and went out late -- finding them inside all on their own.

No I wait til it's completely dark, and they are all huddled asleep in a corner of the run when I go out lol.