My chickens won't leave the coop!

[PugAndChickMomma]

I am new to chicken keeping. I have 5, all around 16 weeks old. They have been in their coop/enclosure for 8 weeks. Is it normal that they spend almost all day in the coop? They do come out to eat and drink, but go right back in when they are done. They only seem to stay outside the coop if I am in the enclosure with them. We are near Seattle, so it is chilly, but not cold, their outdoor run is completely covered to keep out the rain, they have a roosting bar outside, a swing, logs, half straw and half sand run. Are they just cold maybe? The inside of the coop gets yucky quickly because they are in there all the time. I would love for them to spend more time outside. Any thoughts or advice? Here is a pic of one of the girls, because she is so pretty.

 

[21hens-incharge]

She is VERY pretty!!

I have a group that tends to stay inside while my other coop no one stays in unless it is horrid outside.

One run faces North so not much sunshine in winter while the other faces West so gets sun.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I'm not sure why they do that, but to change them maybe you could shut the coop door (If you have one. You do, right?) and shut them out of the coop. Then sit with them in the run a while.

 

[Henry&Friends]

Don’t know why they’d do that, but if you want them to stay out for a day then open the door in the morning and throw some crumbles or scratch on the ground— when they’re all out eating, shut the door. Mine are always halfway out the door before I even open it, haha.

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

She's gorgeous!

 

[chrissynemetz]

She's so pretty!! I have a few who prefer to spend their time in the coop. Can you post pictures of your coop and run?
Chickens can be so weird lol

 

[Diana_burns04]

What a cute chick!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

So during the 8 weeks they've only wanted to stay in the coop?

Is there anything outside that might be upsetting them, such as a neighbor's barking dog or wildlife walking by?

Normally I wouldn't advocate locking them out but since the run is covered so rain isn't an issue, you might want to close up the pop door one day when you're at home to keep an eye on things, and see what they do.

 

[TheChiggens]

I find my older ones tend to stay inside more.
Whats her age?

 

[PugAndChickMomma]

They get morning sun, when the sun is out, which isn't much here. Temps fall between 30-50 right now. Weird.