Night time routine

[mstrader5]

We have 11 chickens that are now about 10-11 weeks old. We just fenced in the area for the coop and let them out today for the first time. My questions is: will they know to roost in the coop at night or should I put them in it each night? thanks!

 

[Free Feather]

Put the food in the coop. You will have to put them in at night for a few days, but they will get the hang of it.

 

[tsmith91]

You will probably have to put them in the coop the first few days they will figure it out pretty quickly

 

[sdpbowen]

I'm amazed at how easy they are to care for. The first days in the run I had to put them up but after that they automatically go up when it gets late. I believe they cannot see well at night and therefore feel vulnerable being outside. Anyone else?

 

[mstrader5]

Thanks everyone! They are now going into the coop each night when they are ready to roost~!

 

[tsmith91]

Since its been pretty hot lately mine have started roosting in the run at night

 

[Free Feather]

Mine are roosting in the run right now, but because of a possum that has been harassing them. I am glad I let them sleep outside like they wanted to; these last two nights the possum has been killing peeps.
That is something to remember. If a lot of birds really do not want to sleep in the coop seemingly randomly, you had better be on the lookout for predators.

 

[mstrader5]

So far we haven't see any sign of predators, but I know they will be coming! Ours are going into the coop at night and we have a screen door we close to keep them in and other animals out. Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I hope that your 'screen door' is actually a sturdily build door with well secured hardware cloth, or you will be loosing birds. Think Ft. Knox! Think about 100 lb. hungry dogs, and very motivated raccoons. Mary

 

[mstrader5]

Thank you Mary! We live in the middle of 300 acres, not much in the way of dogs, but plenty of coyotes and raccoon's. The screens are out of old windows that were very small and sturdy. So it's like a set of 4 instead of 2. They are also fenced in a lot.