How to get chickens back to coop again

[Eahanesea]

My chickens have suddenly stopped going into their coop at night. I am having to go into their run every night and place each of them in their coop. After examining the coop I can tell that a raccoon attempted to get into the coop.
How do I get them to start going back into their coop at night again?

 

[Debbie292d]

My chickens have suddenly stopped going into their coop at night. I am having to go into their run every night and place each of them in their coop. After examining the coop I can tell that a raccoon attempted to get into the coop.
How do I get them to start going back into their coop at night again?

You could try putting a light on in there for a few nights. If you don't have electricity, maybe you have a battery lantern or something you could turn on before dusk, then shut off after they're in.

If you can see any raccoon droppings, I'd clean those up as the chickens can probably smell those.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How many chickens and how big is the coop in feet, L x W?

 

[Ridgerunner]

It's good that you coop survived a raccoon attack. I'm sure you have inspected it closely.

I'd keep doing what you are doing. Lock them in the coop at night until they get in the habit of sleeping in there again. I wait until it is dark so I can easily catch them but if you wish you can lure them in with treats earlier and lock them in. They will eventually get the message.

 

[Mrs. K]

How old are the birds and how many and how much space? I have had numerous experiences with coons and it never stopped my birds from roosting in the coop. I think there is another issue.

 

[Karlkurla Chooks]

So, how big is the coop where they sleep?