Go in and come out of the

[ChickenCanoe]

It's the sudden darkness. Leave the light off and they'll learn to put themselves to bed before the waning light of dusk.

 

[AlanMc]

Ok, I feel better after reading this thread. I was just coming to the forum to ask if I had stupid chickens or did they have a stupid owner. Guess it was me. I just had to run outside in a down pour and put them in their coop. They were standing by the run gate looking at the house like"daddy, come get us". The wild ones didn't even make me chase them, they stood for me to pick up and put in the coop. I put them to bed the last 2 nights and was wondering if they will ever get it. SO, now that I have been educated, I see I just need more patience and put them to bed for another week or two. My wife said I had spoiled them already. Guess not. whew

 

[AlanMc]

Ok, now they are going to bed on their own and last night they were all on the roost. My babies are all growing up.

Now On to the eggs!!! (mid July, I hope)

 

[aggiemae]

The be healthy and productive hens need to sleep at night. Keeping the light on all night, ever a red light, will keep them from doing this. If they are well feathered they do not need a heat lamp. If they aren't going in at night you might want to just shut them in for a few days.

They should have a roost and they will start using it on their own, some batches start younger than others. Our last springs batch was on the roost by 8 weeks but this bunch is about that age now and show no interest. Usually one decides to do it and the rest just follow along. Meanwhile, I would suggest that you block off the nest box so they don't get in the habit of sleeping in it and also that you clean the coop floor daily until they are roosting.

BTW If they slept in the dark and then you started leaving a light on they would behave the same way as they do when you take the light away. They aren't afraid of the dark they just don't like change.