My chickens won’t willingly go into their coop at night.

[rosemarythyme]

I have almost the same exact issue but I don't have the heat lamp going. They love to come out in the morning and have no problem going up the ladder if they want to but, but just won't return to the coop at night so I've been taking them in by hand. I'll try keeping their food and water in the coop and see if that helps. Here's a couple photos of my coop and run.

I'd grab one of the loose cinder blocks you have in the bottom photo and prop up the end of the ramp on it, to reduce the angle and make it easier for the chickens to use the ramp.

 

[BL Chicken Man]

I'd grab one of the loose cinder blocks you have in the bottom photo and prop up the end of the ramp on it, to reduce the angle and make it easier for the chickens to use the ramp.

That’s a great idea!

 

[Thekillertrout]

Any success?

 

[BL Chicken Man]

Yes! I did as you suggested and propped up the ramp with a cinder block. I also put a light in the coop just before dusk and gently shooed them toward the ramp. Once they are all in, I remove the light. After several nights of doing that, they are going in on their own!

 

[Teresa D]

I didn’t even think of that!
I just worry that they won’t be happy, it’s the minimum size requirement for 7 chickens so it would be fine for the nights but i fear that spending 2 days in there would get pretty cramped. Especially considering that they are used to having the whole run during the day, it would be quite the downgrade.
But since we can’t get a chicken sitter, that might be the only option. Thanks!

I think keeping them in the coop would be fine as long as you have food water and ventilation . So funny mine want to stay in the coop. Mine are 7 weeks old tomorrow and they are setting around like old hens. I don't know if that is normal.

 

[waytomanychickens]

Hello! I have 7 English Orpingtons that are about 10 weeks. Ever since I’ve put them outside, I’ve had to physically put them in their coop during the night to roost. We want to leave on a 2 day camping trip so they’ll be alone. I was going to find someone to be a temporary “chicken sitter” but my parents can’t find anyone who’s up for the job. Is there any way that we could teach them to go up there by themselves? The one time I forgot to close them in for the night, I found them huddled up in the grass, they were shivering and their feathers were wet with dew. I don’t want that to happen again! It still gets pretty cold during the nights so we have a heat lamp in their coop, they have two roosts and water during the night. It’s plenty of room for all of them and it’s ventilated enough for it to not be stuffy but not so much that wind can get through. So why won’t they go in there willingly? It would be amazing if we could train them to go up there by themselves when we’re gone but we are hoping to leave today or tomorrow so I know that it’s highly unlikely with the time that we have. Any advice is greatly appreciated!! Thank you!

definitely take the heat lamp out. you can put a 40 watt bulb i the heat lamp hood instead if you want to give them a night light. keeping them closed in the coop for a few days will help "bond' them to it as their home base