Chickens won’t go in at night.

[pnwchicklvr]

I’m new to BYC and a new chicken owner. I am enjoying raising and watching my girls (at least I think they’re girls ). I have 8 chicks that are 9 weeks old. I moved them into the hen house two weeks ago and kept them inside for a week. My problem is that they will not go inside at night. I’ve tried bribing them with treats by putting them on the ramp and putting a battery operated light inside. The hen house is raised off the ground with run space beneath. The first few days they hid underneath in the corner, so I’ve blocked that area off for now. When we built the coop, we put hardware cloth 2 feet deep around it and on the bottom of the entire run. I’m sure they would be safe at night if they stayed outside, but it’s still rather cold at night. The hen house has multiple roosts (which they don’t use) and has plenty of vents and windows. Any suggestions?

 

[Rick&Chris]

All my girls are 6 weeks old. They use the ramp - in and out all day long. Food and water is inside. But as it gets darker they are still outside picking and scratching in the pen (I also have an elevated coop, so they can get underneath and I have to coax them out). The past two nights I’ve gone out and physically put them inside by hand, blocking the entrance so that they can’t come back out. They don’t like that LOL. I hope they learn fast! Daylight saving time is going to be tough to get them inside before dark if I’m not home in time - and I definitely can’t leave them out overnight! Help is appreciated!!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

It takes up to two weeks for chicks to get the knack of using ramps. If they are hatched by a broody and she's raising them it's about four days for most of them to make the ramp following mom. By week end all of them will make it to coop following her.

 

[aart]

All my girls are 6 weeks old. They use the ramp - in and out all day long. Food and water is inside. But as it gets darker they are still outside picking and scratching in the pen (I also have an elevated coop, so they can get underneath and I have to coax them out). The past two nights I’ve gone out and physically put them inside by hand, blocking the entrance so that they can’t come back out. They don’t like that LOL. I hope they learn fast! Daylight saving time is going to be tough to get them inside before dark if I’m not home in time - and I definitely can’t leave them out overnight! Help is appreciated!!

You may have to put them in after dark before you lock up until they get with the program.
Do you have an auto-door?
Are they free ranging......or IIRC you have a run hopefully it's predator proof?
You could set a dim light on a timer, to draw them inside..set it to come on around dusk then turn if off when you get home.

 

[Rick&Chris]

Great news! I put an LED bulb in the heat lamp this morning. They all were in before it got dark! I turned the light off and said good night!! I’ll keep this going for a few nights before I plan on putting the light on a timer. Hopefully SUCCESS!

Thanks for all the input!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

This is very common when they transition to the coop. Chicks raised by a hen should be led in and our at the right times.... in the absence of mama we must teach them what is right. Keep going out every evening as dusk is starting to settle, herd them into the coop and close ther door. Consistency is key and it may take another week or more, but .one might soon you'll look outside and see them putting themselves to bed

 

[Spartan22]

You can lock them in the coop for few days to couple of weeks, with feeds and water. Then gradually introduce them to the run, it seems to work better in training them to roost and lay eggs in the coop eventually. All my 30 hens tuck themselves in the coop near dusk, since being chicks.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

I am having the exact same problem! Mine just turned 9 weeks and also will not go in.

 

[pnwchicklvr]

I am having the exact same problem! Mine just turned 9 weeks and also will not go in.

Lol. I feel your pain. I’m thinking they’re just so confused and don’t have a clue what they are “suppose” to do. Guess we just have to keep moving them inside until they get it.

 

[pnwchicklvr]

This is very common when they transition to the coop. Chicks raised by a hen should be led in and our at the right times.... in the absence of mama we must teach them what is right. Keep going out every evening as dusk is starting to settle, herd them into the coop and close ther door. Consistency is key and it may take another week or more, but .one might soon you'll look outside and see them putting themselves to bed

Thanks. I Have 3 that will go, only to fly out a few minutes later. I figure eventually the rest will follow.