How to get chickens in the coop at night

[Peeps61]

Nice looking coop! I posted earlier in this thread, but I did want to share that I had less trouble getting my new flock to roost in the coop at night than my previous flock. The only new breeds I had this year were cochins and brahmas, so I think the fact that they were in with older hens who already knew the drill made a big difference. The younger birds would roost on the poles in the run, but would follow the older girls in when they went. They are starting to lay now, (3 out of the 7 so far) and it's nice to be getting those eggs again. My molting birds are done with that and I got an egg from one of the orphingtons the other day, so they're coming back on line too!

 

[Australorper]

I have an automatic door that closes off the coop from the run at dark. Girls. Go into the run but I can not get them in the coop before it closes. They are seven weeks old.

I have a small light inside but no luck. Black Australorps, great birds, just do not go into the coop. Are they too young yet?

 

[Peeps61]

My younger birds prefer to flock together on the ground. They'll go in when they are ready. Mine got better about it at around 12 weeks - instinct made them want to be off the ground at that point. Is your run safe? I would not worry about it unless you think a predator could get them. My run is pretty stout, so they stay out there sometimes too.

 

[Australorper]

Thank you for the response. My run and coop are, I believe preditor proof. The girls are safe in the run. I live in So. Fl. So the weather is not a factor. I will just wait them out I guess.

 

[ChickensARGreat]

Get a bag of treats, shake them vigorously within view of the birdies, then scoop out a small amount and place on ramp (or other semi-clean spot inside the coop, so they can see it when entering.

They will learn to RUN to the coop every time you shake the bag. It works for me every time! Of course, I always give them some treats each time I do it...the girls appreciate it!

 

[Peeps61]

LOL! That's what I do with my big girls that live in a different coop. They have gotten to where they are waiting expectantly for me at night when I go out to close them in. They will run to me, then run back and get inside the run for their treats. Food is a great motivator! The young ones will learn this too when I start to let them mingle. They're too small now.

 

[Chrisfraust]

Do you leave the light on all night?

 

[Peeps61]

I do until the weather gets too hot. Right now, it's wet and rainy, so the light keeps it a bit drier in the coop than no light at all. Once the days get into the 90's and the nights in the 80's / upper 70's, I turn it off until the fall. By then, the birds are all used to where they need to be. I just came in from locking them all up and the chicks were all up in the coop roosting.

 

[KristanR]

Our Roo puts the girls in at night...LOL

He goes in and checks things out, then comes back out and rounds them up Border Collie style then sort of pushes them in with his body..LOL It's pretty amusing and makes things easier for us.

 

[Manyana]

Thanks for all your information and ideas. We're really new to chickens and like all the advise that has been given here. I don't feel such a dolt for having to catch each and every one of our chickens to put them into the coup this evening..............their first ventures out into the wide world...... the last one in had to be allowed space to come off the roof of the coup.............maybe we were trying to bed them too early.