How do you get your chickens back in at night

[ChickenMan9819]

I recently acquired 14 chickens and the lady who I bought the chickens from said to keep them in there coop for a few days.But I am scared that when the day comes to let them free range the chickens won't go back inside. There is one chicken that escaped and comes back every night but if I gt close to it it will run back into the woods what do I do

 

[FridayYet]

I recently acquired 14 chickens and the lady who I bought the chickens from said to keep them in there coop for a few days.But I am scared that when the day comes to let them free range the chickens won't go back inside. There is one chicken that escaped and comes back every night but if I gt close to it it will run back into the woods what do I do

First of all,

I'd keep them in the coop for a few days like you were told, then the first time you let them out, do it a little before sunset. They should not wander far and then head back inside to sleep.

Also, start "training" them to come. I call "chik, chik, chik" in a high voice every time I have a treat or throw out some scratch. Others shake a tin can with some scratch in it. Pretty soon they associate the sound with the food and come running from all over to see what I have.

 

[cavemanrich]

If you can possibly contain them near their coop for a few days, they will learn to go into your coop. See if you can acquire some fencing, or chicken wire or something similar. Possibly borrow some and return it when you get chickens trained. The training would consist of the chickens being outside but close to coop. They would not be able to wander off .... so when the sun goes down, they would head for shelter safety of coop. One week or less and you will have them trained better than a Drill Sargent training his Troops.
And of course

 

[Cacique500]

First of all,

I'd keep them in the coop for a few days like you were told, then the first time you let them out, do it a little before sunset. They should not wander far and then head back inside to sleep.

Also, start "training" them to come. I call "chik, chik, chik" in a high voice every time I have a treat or throw out some scratch. Others shake a tin can with some scratch in it. Pretty soon they associate the sound with the food and come running from all over to see what I have.

This.

Mine will do anything for raisins or dried meal worms. If you have the space, train them while they're in the coop with the treats so they know the procedure before you let them out.

 

[lazy gardener]

All of the above posts have excellent advice. I'd also like to add that chickens are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. As long as your coop is big enough, well ventilated so they don't overheat in this summer weather, has roosts that are comfortable and spacious enough for them, they will want to be there at night. They're wired to seek a safe place to roost for the night, and you are now training them that the coop is that safe place to be.

I'm concerned about the one that is on the loose. It sounds like you have not been able to get her into the coop yet? How many days have you had them? It's obvious that she would like the safety of the coop, but does not yet trust you enough to allow that to happen. Like others have mentioned, a run would be a good idea. Even if you plan to exclusively free range, there will be plenty of times when you'll want to confine them to a run: neighbor's dog on the loose, training chickens to use a nest box instead of hiding their eggs all over your yard. My recommendation is to set up a small run (minimum of 140 square feet) and let the girls out into it. The renegade will probably come out and pace the fence line looking for a way in. This is when you have a helper handy. One of you manages the gate, while the other very slowly follows her around the fence line without crowding her to encourage her to enter the opening. It will help if your helper has some long posts in his hands so that the hen can be more easily directed to the opening. You guard the gate, with a post in your hand to guide her, and open the gate to allow her in. Chickens are flock animals, and she'll be relieved to be back in the safety of her flock. The sooner you can get her in with the rest of the flock, the less likely she will fall prey to a predator. I wish you the best with your new flock.