My chickens think their night owls

[WGHowell]

I bought some bantams and brown leghorns this past summer. It took me a while to get their coop built and now that I have that done they think they can stay out to all hours of the night. I have older chickens and they have their own routine and are in the coop by 5-6 every night. I got them used to the other coop,but it's to small for all of them to stay in now since they are almost grown. My question is would it be better to leave them cooped up in the new coop and run for a few days or keep doing as I have from the beginning and that is to go out between 5-6 and walk them into their coop until they get the hang of it.I don't have any problem getting them in they just seem to need a nudge to get them headed in the right direction.They are like teenagers they don't know when it's time to go to bed. I also have a security light , but it don't seem to have any affect on the other chickens. I guess training is in session for the teenagers.

 

[igorsMistress]

How long have you been putting them to bed? I had to get my newbies used to a new coop. After a few nights putting them to bed I closed the other coop and went back inside. Went back out after dark and they were all in their coop.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Are the older chickens and the younger ones all sleeping in the same coop?

 

[WGHowell]

How long have you been putting them to bed? I had to get my newbies used to a new coop. After a few nights putting them to bed I closed the other coop and went back inside. Went back out after dark and they were all in their coop.

I just finished the new coop this past weekend. So it may take 2-3 more weeks for them to get the hang of it. I'll just have to keep an eye on them and see how things go from there.

 

[WGHowell]

Are the older chickens and the younger ones all sleeping in the same coop?

They were using the same coop ,but I have been going out and closing the coop for the older chickens so the young ones can get accustomed to the new coop. It may take 2-3 weeks but I think they will get the hang of it. I'm not having to much trouble getting them in . When they see me headed their way they know what time it is.

 

[WGHowell]

since I wrote about my birds I think now they have ESP because they have been going to roost just like their supposed to since writing this thread on the 18th of Feb. I guess they were like a bunch of new recruits and had to be whipped in to shape so they would know what to do. anyway they are doing fine now and are like a bunch of happy larks in their new home,