It's 34 degrees and my chickens won't go in the coop.

[ehoneybee]

Should I just let them go in when they want? I put them in tonight but they always roost outside on the coop. Do they know when it's too cold to be outside?

 

[MissChick@dee]

Do they normally sleep in the coop?
Did you train them to sleep in the coop?

 

[NoFlyBackFarm]

That's not good. It can lead to predator problems, shut them in the coop for 5-6 days, so they go in at night. Get a second opinion, I may be wrong

 

[AlleysChicks]

I have about 5 that roost in the run. They started in the summer and now it’s 25F and they are still out there.

 

[CannedMonster]

I would consider the size of the coop itself before shutting them in.
Go out at sunset or as soon after as you can, and put each one in the coop and shut them in until morning.
Do this for as long as it takes for them to start going in on their own.
Chickens naturally want to roost high in trees.
We humans put them in coops to keep them safe from predators but a coop around sunset is a dark scary place...very cave-like.
They don’t want to go in but will soon realize it’s safe.
I’ve found my birds are more likely to go in sooner if I have windows and doors open so there’s more light for them to see by.

 

[lutherpug]

That's not good. It can lead to predator problems, shut them in the coop for 5-6 days, so they go in at night. Get a second opinion, I may be wrong

Agree, 34 degrees isn't a big deal at all. I would be much more concerned about predation.

 

[aart]

Should I just let them go in when they want? I put them in tonight but they always roost outside on the coop. Do they know when it's too cold to be outside?

Is the coop(your avatar?) inside a predator, and weather, proof run?
If that is your coop, it's too small for the 6 birds shown..
More info, and pics, on present setup would help immensely.

 

[MissChick@dee]

A light inside the coop could help them be less afraid. You could use a flashlight. Just put it close to a wall so it shines against the wall. Think nite light. Dim not glaring! If you have a window you could put it outside (I’m thinking duct tape) or if you have yard lights keep them on

 

[ehoneybee]

That's not good. It can lead to predator problems, shut them in the coop for 5-6 days, so they go in at night. Get a second opinion, I may be wrong

I did this all summer they won't go in their own. I got them from a farmer who let them free range in a barn.

 

[NoFlyBackFarm]

Hmmmm... Keep an eye for foxes, prey found that easy in fall will be taken quite quickly