do silkies not coop at night?

[jewelzbird]

We started our (standard sized hen) flock last year and this year added 6 silkies. They are 3 months old and ADORABLE! The lame thing is that every night I have to go out there and crawl around gathering them out of the run to put in the coop. The run is secure and it isn't cold yet, but I just am not comfortable with them being so visible at night. I live in a predator infested redwood forest. I prefer they be out of site in their coop at night. The big chickens sleep in another coop altogether, so it isn't a bullying issue. The silly little fluff balls all huddle up right against the chicken wire (where a racoon could easily scratch them though the wire and give them a terrible fright before they scattered out of claws reach.) It has bee a full month of me going out there an hour after dark to coop them up. I kinda thought they'd catch on by now. Is this just a silkie thing? They seem to be quite different birds than our larger hens.

 

[lakebound]

Mine go to bed.... Maybe it's their age?

 

[jewelzbird]

It's now been many more weeks and Im super over going out there every night. I tried putting a light in the coop on a timer. No change. Any seasoned chicken people have any advice?

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Put them in their coop and leave them there for a few days-a week, then try letting them out again.

I love my Silkies, but have come to the realization that they aren't the brightest in the bunch.

 

[Hholly]

Mine were shut in the coop during their integration period. They've always gone to roost just fine. But I had to make it easier for them to jump up and down from the roost bar, since they can't really fly.

 

[nancyinatx]

I had 2 silkies, one would go into the coop to roost at night and the other was always sleeping on the ground in the run. I asked the breeder and she said it's common for Silkies to not go to bed at night. She said sometimes they eventually figure it out and follow the others, but usually not.