I have 6 established ladies who sleep in the coop at night, no problem. Ok, one of them perches on top as if she's standing guard, but she's a big girl, so I don't worry about her.
I got two babies this year, and at about 2 months old, they refuse to go to sleep in the coop or even the run. They want to sleep on a half-full bag of DE on the potting shelf.
I don't close my ladies in at night, it hasn't ever been necessary in the 3 years I've had them (I live in town and have 6 cats that have run off anything that might have been a problem). But I do worry a bit about the little ones being out there on their own.
The last few nights, I've waited until dark and carried them into their roost, and they stay there - but how can I make them go there on their own?
I got two babies this year, and at about 2 months old, they refuse to go to sleep in the coop or even the run. They want to sleep on a half-full bag of DE on the potting shelf.
I don't close my ladies in at night, it hasn't ever been necessary in the 3 years I've had them (I live in town and have 6 cats that have run off anything that might have been a problem). But I do worry a bit about the little ones being out there on their own.
The last few nights, I've waited until dark and carried them into their roost, and they stay there - but how can I make them go there on their own?