Getting my chickens back into their coop?

[Fire26]

Finally after a few months of working on my Coop and Run area, I have completed the build.
I will have to get some pictures to share.
My coop is 8 x 12 and the run is 18' x 35'.
Two days ago I let my chickens out of their coop for the first time. They are only 8wks old.
I kept them in the coop for a full 3wks before letting them out into the run area.
All is going really good. They look forward to coming out every morning, but they will not go back into the coop at night. We have to corral them and catch them all and put them back inside each night.
I'm thinking I am trying to get them in too early - it is still light out, approx at 8pm.
Any suggestions?
Should I be waiting till dark or just before dark?
Looking for any suggestions.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Wait until dark. That’s when they go to bed.

It’s still possible they will want to sleep in the run instead of in the coop. That happens to mine a lot but my grow-out coop is elevated. I think that makes a difference. Mine often want to sleep in a group right under the door. I have to put them in the coop until they get the message. Sometimes that only takes a time or two, sometimes that can take weeks. Luckily they are very easy to catch after dark.

 

[JanetS]

We would love to see your pictures. How many chickens do you have? Yea, waiting until dark will help. We just integrated new chicks into our flock and had to pick them up and put them in the coop for about 5 days until they got the hang of it. Good luck.

 

[Fire26]

I have 12 Chickens. (4 Buff Orpingtons, 4 Silver Laced Wyandottes, 4 New Hampshire Reds)
All were supposed to be hens, but one of the New Hampshires turned out to be a Rooster.
I started the chicks in a tub in my house for about 3wks. Then I moved them to a 3' x 6' brood box within the coop for 2wks and then I let them have the run of the coop for 3wks. Sunday we finished the run with the roof netting and turned them out into their new outside world. They come right out in the morning but I just think I am trying to get them in too early at night. I will wait till dark tonight to see what happens. I should have taken pictures as I built their estate but I was too focused on just getting it built. Thanks for the response and insight.

 

[ECBW]

They would go in when it is dark for them. So wait and see. Worse case, it becomes completely night, chickens will become complete docile and easy to fetch.

 

[MI Buckeye]

I have 15 Buckeye chickens about 10 week old this Thursday. All but one head inside the coop right at dusk. One has to be chased and caught. I have 14 chickens that will likely live a long life and one that is headed to a chicken dinner in her honor.

 

[aart]

Wait until dark. That’s when they go to bed.

It’s still possible they will want to sleep in the run instead of in the coop. That happens to mine a lot but my grow-out coop is elevated. I think that makes a difference. Mine often want to sleep in a group right under the door. I have to put them in the coop until they get the message. Sometimes that only takes a time or two, sometimes that can take weeks. Luckily they are very easy to catch after dark.

Ditto Dat^^^

LOL at easy to catch after dark!!

 

[MillermanKT]

Mine were very hesitant to go back into the coop the first nite or to, i simply hung a light in the coop around dark and they were all inside in 15 minutes. did that for 2 days .now they go inside at 845 pm like clockwork.

 

[dough13]

Mine were very hesitant to go back into the coop the first nite or to, i simply hung a light in the coop around dark and they were all inside in 15 minutes. did that for 2 days .now they go inside at 845 pm like clockwork.

I have 8 chicks that just started sleeping with no light and they still dont like going in the coup at night because its dark in there. If i turn on the light inside the coup they will go right in then i let them settle a bit then shut the light off. you shouldnt have to do this for very long though because they should figgure out that they should get settled in the coup while they can still see inside .

 

[Fire26]

Great news, I waited till almost dark then went out to check on my chicks.
It was awesome, they were all in the coop all hunkered down together in a corner.
I guess I was just trying to get them in too early.
Thanks for all the suggestions, they were all spot on.