How to train chickens to go back to their coop

[Mtn Laurel]

All you need is a small light in the coop. Chickens don't like to go into dark places and if you have a light in the coop, they'll be drawn to it as it begins to get dark outside. Turn the light off when you lock them up.

Do that for about a week and they'll learn to go into the coop as it begins to get dark outside.

 

[rachelk99]

I probably should have read this thread before I put my chicks in their run for playtime yesterday. My dear husband enclosed a 15 by 15 area with chicken wire and I covered it with bird netting and put my 6 chicks to play in it because the weather was nice. They had a grand old time. They were out for a couple hours and when we put them back in their brooder they were all squawky and obviously not too happy. It took them awhile to settle down. Their coop is not entirely ready yet but I was wondering the same thing how to get them back in at night. I hope to let mine free range eventually during the day.

 

[tigereyesi]

I think that my chicks are some stubborn birds. I am trying the bread and they are starting to eat it and i tried a trail up the plank to the coop. They just haven't gotten it yet that they are supposed to go back into the coop. I guess i just need some patience.

 

[534EBC]

When I 1st got my mature chickens, my husband and I ran around like a comedy routine in the early evening rounding up the girls to put in their new coop. Very anxiety producing for both humans and birds! I read their instinct is to roost at dusk and seek out their coop themselves. I also read to put a little light in the coop and as it gets dark outside they'll seek out the light ... and coop. Chickens don't have very good eyesight. I used a little clip-on keychain light and indeed it worked. Once they were all up the ladder and in the coop, I cut off the light and locked up the coop for the night. After about 3 nights, I stopped w/ the light and the routine was set. My girls obviously go to their coop to roost earlier on winter nights than summer nights. We reside in VA and right now it's between 8-9 pm before they are all ready to be locked in and secured. I've been very diligent though... so haven't yet lost any to predators (knock on wood). Good luck!