Chickens wont go in coop at night.

[Joann1968]

I have six chicks I got in august. They are living outside with our two older hens and wont go in the coop at night. We have to catch them and put them in the coop, and they are getting increasingly hard to catch. Any ideas?

 

[aart]

More info needed:
Are the older birds keeping them out of the coop?
ETA: How long have chicks been integrated with older birds?
How big is coop, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics might really help here.
Is there a separate roost for the youngers?
Is this a new problem....or....?
A battery operated puck light can help lure them in,
turn it on just before roost time, then turn off when you lock up after dark.

 

[Cryss]

They don't know where they live. Lock them inside the coop for a week with food and water. They will become comfortable in there, feeling safe and familiar. Then let them out during the day and see if they don't head indoors when it starts getting dark. Rinse/repeat if necessary maybe only 3 days. Works for me every single time.

 

[Joann1968]

There is a second roost for the youngsters. The coop is about eight feet by ten feet with four nestboxes that arent included in the dimensions. There is a light and heat in there. Not a new problem, this has gone on from the beginning. Yes, the older girls might be keeping them out. My husband has cancer, and he said the dimensions of the coop are just going to have to do. It is big enough for 8 chickens.

 

[Fairview01]

I had 3 heritage cornish hens that refused to use the coop. I tried everything. They would huddle up together in the same corner. What was fascinating was they would go in the coop to lay their eggs.

Slept out there for 18 months through rain, winter cold, snow, sleet. Had a layer of frozen rain pellets on them one morning.

Healthiest birds i had for 18 months. The only reason they died is because they got on the bus to camp Kenmore

 

[gtaus]

They don't know where they live. Lock them inside the coop for a week with food and water. They will become comfortable in there, feeling safe and familiar. Then let them out during the day and see if they don't head indoors when it starts getting dark. Rinse/repeat if necessary maybe only 3 days. Works for me every single time.

That's exactly what I did with my birds (all of the same age) and I had no problems. My girls all head back into the coop before it gets dark.

As mentioned by @aart, you have a mixed flock and the dynamics might be different. If the older and younger birds get along in the coop, maybe you could try locking them up in the coop for a week and make sure they know this is their new home. Then try letting them outside again and see if they instinctively head back into the coop at dusk. Sounds like your coop is big enough for 8 birds.

Sorry to hear about your husband's health. I hope treatment is available. I'm an RN, and I have seen lots of more promising treatment options every year. Best wishes to both you and your husband.