How to train chicks to sleep in the coop? Newbee question...

[j_morgan76]

I am new to raising chickens and was hoping someone could give so advice. How do I train my flock to go into the coop at night to sleep? I built a coop with a attached run and I go out at night and the are sleeping on top of their water in the run. I read that others have automatic doors but how do you train the chickens to go inside on their own? I have been manualy putting them inside at night but I am getting tired of doing that.. Any advice would be great.... here is a pic of my coop... it's been updated since this pic but the Basic layout is the same.. .

 

[True Grit]

Very nice coop! When i first put my chicks in the coop I kept them inside the coop for I think it was 5 days or maybe even a week. That way they learned where home was and always went back into the coop at night once I let them out into the run. I also helped them down the ramp the first time, very scary!

 

[teach1rusl]

Turning a light on inside the coop helps draw the chickens to safety. You can turn it on about 30 minutes before dark, and turn it off after they're all in. If you don't have electricity, you can just set a flashlight out there. Within a week, they will most likely go in without a light.

 

[CCourson05]

Near dusk, take away anything in the run that could be used as a perch for sleeping. They will seek out something else to sleep on, and find it in their lovely little coop!