How do I get them back into the hutch?

My friend told me (I've also read it) that it's a good idea to let them out an hour or so before dusk the first few times so that they won't have ranged very far by the time they're ready to turn in for the night.

 

My coop is attached to a closed run. The first week we herded the Delightful Dozen into the coop as the sun was setting. After that they have put themselves to bed every night. They now get a couple of hours to roam the fenced in yard and they head to the run and into the coop shortly after sunset. So far no problems.

If you don't have a closed run, the idea of giving them short evenings out to get used to the bedtime routine sounds like a good idea.

 

Quote:We have ten seven-week-old blue Orpingtons and two Welsh corgis, Siegmund and Sieglinde. Siegmund loves herding the chicks and looking after them; Sieglinde could not care less than what she does. Anne left the coop door open today while she got them some greens from the garden; when she got back to the coop, seven of them were out wandering around. She got them all in the coop except one who wanted to run everywhere and hide. I came out, Anne told me what happened and that she could not find the runaway chicken. Siegmund had helped me yesterday when I let them out to sun in the yard. I called him out of the house and said, "Siegmund, find the chicken." He went into the overgrowth area, found it, and shooed it out to where we could get. He got a very BIG dog biscuit bone. What a good boy!
It really helps a herding breed to have a job, and it's hard to beat a border collie. We used to have one. You'll soon see that he'll love herding your chickens for you; just keep letting him know how proud you are of him; he'll be glad to round 'em up and head 'em out at any time for you.

EDIT: In all fairness to Sieglinde, she really wanted/wants to help but Siegmund wouldn't/won't let her. He's been selfish with the chicks ever since they hatched.

 

bravo Joe Bryant on the dogs herding! I keep my chooks inside the coop for a couple weeks and then leave the door open for them to venture out on their own. All mine free range and everyone comes back to the coop at dusk. Even the newbies since they have been inside the "brooder room" for a couple weeks or more inside the coop. They know where home is.