Got an automatic door, but they want to stay out all night!

[dclark]

I purchased an automatic door from chickendoors.com and installed it Sunday. So far all the hens desire to stay out all night! I have programmed the timer and then opened it back up for the night because they weren't in by dark. I am going to try a light in the coop this week to see if they will go back inside at dusk. They are all 9 weeks old this week and the run is fully enclosed so I am not worried about them too much.

 

[countrygirl86]

When you first put them out in the coop did you keep them confined for a few days? I read that keeping them in the coop for the first few days helps them learn that it is home and they will come back at night.

 

[seann]

^ I read that too.
Try it.

 

[dclark]

Yep that's what I am finding while researching the issue. A light at dusk and/or keeping them locked in for a few days.
They started out in just the coop for a week before I added the run and then the door. They did stay in the coop before the door was installed but there was an opening in the wire for a couple days before I installed the door.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Keep putting them inside at night and they'll get the picture pretty quickly. (a week or so)

 

[dclark]

I left them in the coop for two days and they figured it out!