Coop door

[City Farmer Jim]

I'm a relative newbie to raising chickens. My question and need for advice will probably seem silly but not to a newbie lol.
We have an automatic door that closes at dark on our coop. That being said here is my question. The girls will go in the coop without fail 4 5 6 nights in a row then if it is a bit cloudy or overcast they seem confused about going in, the door closes at relatively the same time regardless of cloudy or not. There is a 7 watt night light inside and lit until well past dark on a timer. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a cure ? All that is needed is to go in is open the door and tell them to go in and point the flashlight and in they go.

 

[cavemanrich]

I don't clearly understand the problem, on the cloudy days.??? Do your chickens stay out of coop on those days, at dusk, and coop pop door closes???
The nite light is fine so the chickens can find their way to roost. Try to use a 4 watt bulb, if you think your 7 watt is too bright. You can also easily just shade your existing bulb with some aluminum foil. That will make coop less lit up.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[City Farmer Jim]

The issue is not the light inside, the issue is they seem to forget that at dark outside they should go in the coop. Cloudy or overcast days/evenings seems to be the worst...the door closes relatively at the same time each evening regardless of cloudy or clear out. I would leave them out BUT we have a Great Horned Owl, ferrel cats,opossum for sure in the area. So I go let them the nights they won't go in. I'm wondering if it is just stubbornness or a perception of light or if anyone else has had the same thing happen or if there is a remedy for it. ...thank you in advance for your help.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I'm wondering if it is just stubbornness or a perception of light o

I don't know how late after sunset the door closes on your coop, but I go out to close the pop door anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes after sunset.
My hens go in earlier on cloudy days.
I don't know why your chickens go in later on cloudy days.
Is the door light activated? If it is that could be the problem.
Can you adjust the sensitivity or set it to close later.
I'm guessing because I don't have an auto door. GC

 

[Folly's place]

My birds go in earlier on cloudy days too.
Do you have outside lighting? City lights? Any outside lighting will mess up their plans, and keep them out too long.
I've never had an automatic coop door either. One of us goes out, does a head count, looks for invaders, and closes the coop, every night. I also don't let them out until late morning or early afternoon, also trying to avoid a schedule that makes predators have an easier time out there.
My coop/ run combination is large enough that everyone can do well in it for weeks, if necessary, without free ranging.
Mary

 

[aart]

x3 My birds go in earlier on cloudy days .