Is there a way to get chicks to sleep in the coop?

[KarenChickMom]

We have a solar powered auto door with a manual option. using the auto door the light goes on within a specific timeframe before the door closes. Once they see the light, place them in the coop and let the door close so they get used to the light meaning "come home" followed by the door action. To ensure no one would quickly bolt out or stand in the frame, we close the manual door (located on the outside of the auto door) and wait for the auto door to close, then reopen the manual door. This process only took three nights before they 'got it'. Now that it's ugly hot and humid at night, we leave the door open all night for extra air but they cozy up in the back until early in the morning before dawn when I find one of them sleeping in the door way. She is the one who usually shows signs of heat stress first.

What type of solar light do you have? Our coop is large and well ventilated with plenty of roosting space but it's dark due to its placement. So currently we are using push lights that I turn on at dusk and then once everyone is inside I shut them in and turn out the lights one by one. As it gets darker they all start to roost. It's kind of a pain. Im trying to find a less hands on approach.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Im trying to find a less hands on approach.

Can you add a window or two to your coop so the natural light will control them?

 

[KarenChickMom]

Can you add a window or two to your coop so the natural light will control them?

There are three windows already. It's just gets darker in there before it gets dark outside so they stay outside until the last minute and then cram in the doorway because they can't see the roosts. So I added the push lights to draw them into the coop earlier. But I'm thinking the push lights are too bright because instead of roosting they just eat & peck.

 

[Back40chick]

We let our hen hatch out eggs. Our daughter did the same. Once the mama brought chicks out, they nested under the coop a few days. Then she nested them in the coop. Now they are on their own and they are on the roosting bars just like mama