Chickens won't go back in the coop since the skunk invasion!

[dianneS]

My chickens are free range during the day and we lock them in the hen house at night. A skunk got in the hen house last night and killed four chicks. A good number of chickens are refusing to return to the henhouse tonight. Its getting dark and the hen with the chicks is roosting in one of the horse stalls with the remainder of her babies. The rest of them are outside trying to roost as high up as they can go! Should I try to get them in the house? I've secured it so that no more preditors can get in and I'm leaving a light on tonight. I don't know if I should leave them out all night and let them roost where they want, or try and get them all locked inside?

 

[mediazeal]

if the coop is safe, get them in it if you can
they are more vulnerable outside
sorry you lost some last night
good luck!

 

[dianneS]

I got as many inside as I could last night. The hen with the chicks stayed in the horse stall with the horse and they made it through the night. Two more roosted in trees and they made it as well. Everyone was very subdued this morning when I turned them out but they all have ventured back into the henhouse throughout the day, I don't think I'll have a problem getting them to go in tonight!

 

[mediazeal]

Awesome, glad it worked out for you!!!