Getting your chickens in at night?

[corriemartin]

In case anyone was wondering, I have stopped going inside the coop and waiting for them all to come in. It was too ridiculous. For the past several nights, I've put their scratch in the coop, and most of them go in after it, and then I chase (gently) the other ones in. It's MUCH faster, and I'm hoping they'll get the idea and not need chasing after awhile.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd LIKE to put them up before it's full dark, because I hear that twilight is when the predators comes out.

This is probably why you're struggling to get them in at night. They want to be out, you want them in.

My 4 week old chicks returned to the coop tonight only 24 hrs after being introduced to it. They weren't after snacks (though that works too, and sounds like it's working out for you), that's where the feeder is and they figured out real fast if they want to eat before bed, they better get back to the coop.

 

[BDutch]

Corriemartin, you’re doing great! My younger chickens like to stay outside a bit longer too.

I give my chickens a few hands with a grain mix (barley, wheat, corn) in the run at the end of the day and on other times if I want them inside. I don’t like them to free range when nobody’s at home.

My run is safe during the day but not very safe for the night too. When they are inside the run/coop they always go inside the coop to roost there at nightfall. A automatic pop door closes (on lumen) when its getting dark. This way the chickens are safe for the night even if I am not at home to close the door.

If I let my chickens choose where they want to roost a few will (eventually) roost in a tree outside. But they are trained/conditioned with giving food in the run in the evening now.

Depending on the breed some chickens do prefer to roost outside. And some free ranging chickens going broody like to lay eggs outside too. In a secret, hard to find nest. So beware next year.

 

[Matzwd]

You might find it helpful to associate a sound with the treats...a call like "here girls!!" or shaking a can with scratch in it every time you are going to feed them. They will learn to come running from the sound alone. You can stand outside the coop/run and toss some inside after they gather around you. Then shut them inside while they eat their food or treat.