My chicken won't sleep in their coop...

[meredithhouston]

I am a new chicken mom with five hens. I kept them in their coop for two weeks and let them out yesterday for the first time. They loved it! But as dust arrived they did not go back to their coop. But, they are still around this morning. Why won't they go to their home?

 

[liljunie]

I had to teach my crew to use the ramp. Some chickens are afraid of it at first. My other coop, all 14 go in on their own. It has become later each night (close to 8:30pm) I am wondering if I should leave them out also. Having said that I have 3 out of 8 that I have to chase down to put in each night. They are in a secure pen, but I still worrry about predators.

 

[rairai979]

I just got my flock on Saturday. The first night, I had to put them all into the coop (they are also in a secure pen). The second night, I had to put 3 in the coop, but 4 went in on their own. Last night, they all put themselves in the coop. After some repetition, they should get it.

 

[meredithhouston]

Thank you! I feel better now

 

[Quailsong]

Sometimes it helps to keep the birds locked in the coop for a day or two. They will associate the coop as their go-to home & will return to it at night.

 

[onebusymom]

When mine first went into the coop - I had to show them how and put them in. After a few days, they started doing it themselves. I just had to realize their bedtime isn't necessarily mine. It doesn't get dark here until around 9:30 and they stay out until just about then. If I wait until then, they've gone in on their own and I just have to make sure things are locked up. Makes an automatic door really attractive.