Nighttime behavior

[desertgirl]

Hello, all!
My littlest three (about 6 weeks) are now out with the rest of the flock (cannot believe how quickly they grow!). Everyone is getting along great, no issues so far.

My question; the three littlest are already in the coop (will be dark in about an hour), and the rest of my birds are inconsistant about going into the coop (sometimes yes, sometimes no).

Should I just let them do whatever they want? They won't pick on them when it gets dark, since they don't see very well,right?

I'm just concerned that tonight will be a night when everyone goes in the coop and I can't see them...I don't want anyone getting pecked...

 

[Uppity Peon]

The ones that haven't learned to go inside the coop at night will huddle up and camp outside together. You should go out after they are settled and put them in and close the door to keep them safe. After just a few nights they will probably be going in on their own at dusk.

 

[ChickBond 007]

My roosters put everyone to bed, stop the squabbles over who sleeps where, and chase stragglers into the coop by dark. I love 'em because they save me work.

 

[desertgirl]

Quote:
Yes-they do cuddle up together and the I put them into the coop-but we've been doing this for weeks now...

 

[ChickBond 007]

Quote:
Yes-they do cuddle up together and the I put them into the coop-but we've been doing this for weeks now...

I'd give them a day of "solitary" inside the coop without going outside. It may help them understand "this is where I belong". Of course, watch the temps in your area before trying this.

 

[ChooksChick]

90% of the time, when birds won't go in the coop to sleep, it's because bythe time they want to go to bed, they can't see well enough to pick a 'safe' spot to sleep.

Put a light on a timer in there, set to go on 1/2 hour before you usually see bedtime behavior, and to go off about the time you can count on them being asleep.

This should do the trick!