I know chickens are creatures of habit, but…

[mldlm]

I always “tuck” my chickens in at nightfall, which is right around 6pm now. However, I have to attend an important meeting tomorrow and won’t get back until around 7:15. Their run is predator proof and it is attached to the coop where they can go in and out at will. There will be a light on in the coop until I get back to close up their pop door and turn out the light. My first time not closing them in at dark to settle in for the night. I guess I just need reassurance that this will work out…funny how I treat them like my kids…lol. What do y’all think?

 

[Poultrybonkers]

If i come home late from something i always check then close them up and be done

 

[MildlyOffensiveChicken]

I always “tuck” my chickens in at nightfall, which is right around 6pm now. However, I have to attend an important meeting tomorrow and won’t get back until around 7:15. Their run is predator proof and it is attached to the coop where they can go in and out at will. There will be a light on in the coop until I get back to close up their pop door and turn out the light. My first time not closing them in at dark to settle in for the night. I guess I just need reassurance that this will work out…funny how I treat them like my kids…lol. What do y’all think?

Mine will go in at dark, even if i am not there.

 

[mldlm]

Mine will go in at dark, even if i am not there.

I am mildly concerned because four of my chickens are about 10 weeks older than the other two. The one on the bottom of the pecking order for the four is not particularly fond of the two younger ones and has a tendency to peck at them. However, they are very good at getting away from her, for the most part and can go back out into the run if it gets too hairy…lol.

 

[Tonyroo]

Yeah don't worry for them, you putting them at night consistently has trained them to know when to goto bed.

 

[GingerRose]

Mine will go in at dark, even if i am not there.

Mine too

 

[arizona_chicken_noob]

They'll put themselves to bed and just close up when you do get home

 

[mldlm]

Thank you all so much! I feel better reading this!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I am never consistent with bed time. If I have young ones I check the run for stragglers and just close up the run. Worry not-just bring a flashlight and make sure everyone is in. They will more than likely tuck themselves in just fine.

 

[DickMidnight]

you’ll miss them way more than they’ll miss you.

if the run is predator proof and attached to the coop, then why even bother closing the pop door?

let them go to roost at night and leave the coop in the morning when they naturally want to.