Going into the Coop Help!!

[3 girls chickens]

My chickens are about 7-8 weeks old and are outside in their coop and run. will they eventually learn to go inside at night. last night i found them huddled outside. Ive been putting them in the coop manually every night. do i need to do anything or should i just leave them to figure it out on their own. Also should the food and water be inside or out.

thanks

 

[BayCityBabe]

Mine are just a few weeks older. They have food & water in the coop; plus, the only comfortable roosting area is inside. They pretty much start heading inside around dusk. I only have to shoo a couple inside at 9p.m. when I close up.
Might try enforcing a strict bedtime - kinda like they are toddlers. They should catch on.

 

[Jolyn]

I don't think it takes long for them to figure out that they want to go in at dusk. Mine were out in the coop at that age but didn't get in the run for a little bit after that. I don't remember too many times having to chase them into the coop. I think yours will get it after a short time.

Oh and i keep food inside and water both inside and outside.

 

[HaileyandJoliesMom]

I free range my guys but they always have access to the coop. The girls and boy have learned that when the horses are being fed they are next on the list, so they head into the coop and wait for "she who feeds" to come by with dinner. it took a couple of weeks and every now and then I get a straggler but for the most part they put themselves to bed