My chickens won't go in coop at night

[Molliep2]

My chickens are between 6-8 weeks of age and they won't go in the coop at night on their own. Each night I have to put them in their coop. I was wondering what are some different suggestions of training them to go in on their own? Thanks!

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Is there food in the coop?

 

[Molliep2]

Is there food in the coop?

Yes, as well as water

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Yes, as well as water

Hmm. When my boys chickens were younger I left them out for a night so they would learn a lesson. Obviously they are more prone to being killed by other animals though. Do you check on them when it’s dark or when there is a bit of light left?

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Hmm. When my boys chickens were younger I left them out for a night so they would learn a lesson. Obviously they are more prone to being killed by other animals though. Do you check on them when it’s dark or when there is a bit of light left?

Minus the boys part at the beginning. Silly autocorrect

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

If you are having trouble getting them to pen up you will need to confine them one or two weeks inside the pen without letting them out. They will then know for sure where they belong.

 

[Sylie]

Hello Molliep2! looks like you are new to our flock so Welcome!!
You may have to keep putting them in for a little bit yet, until they learn. Is it dark out when you put them in? They have an internal clock that goes by the daylight, they go to bed when it's dark enough for them. How long have they been out of the brooder and into the run and coop?

 

[Molliep2]

Hello Molliep2! looks like you are new to our flock so Welcome!!
You may have to keep putting them in for a little bit yet, until they learn. Is it dark out when you put them in? They have an internal clock that goes by the daylight, they go to bed when it's dark enough for them. How long have they been out of the brooder and into the run and coop?

Probably roughly two weeks but they were in the coop up until yesterday when they went to the run

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

You can also get them in the routine of you feeding them just before roosting time inside the pen. Sounds like they need more time in confinement. Also if you have a older chicken to put with them it will train them what to do.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

So they have only ever been let out of their coop for one night and they didn't go back in for that one night?
This is not surprising. It takes time for them to learn that home is where they came out of in the morning. Sometimes days, sometimes a week.
You could give them a high-motivation snack in the coop at night, or try walking them up the ramp into the coop manually at sundown right as they would be snuggling down to roost for the night just before it's dark so they want to go to bed but can still mostly see. But I suspect that they just need more than one night to adjust.