Nighttime help!

[jamieweber]

I need some help. This is our first time having chickens. We let the hens out every morning and they get to run around the backyard all day. They were always really good at getting in their coop when it started to get dark. But for the past two weeks - most of them are sitting on top of the coop when we go out to lock them up. It wasn't a big deal - we would just pick them up and put them in. But last night and tonight - two hens are up in the tree above the coop. My husband was able to get them down last night - but tonight they are higher up and he can't get then. I'm so worried something is going to happen to them! How can I get my hens to start going back into their coop at night?

 

[Percheron chick]

When it's about 30 minutes before bedtime, just bait them into the coop with some treats. Something they can't resist. They'll see you walking towards the coop and come running in just a few days.

 

[jamieweber]

That's a really good idea. My girls love meal worms. What treats do yours love?

 

[Percheron chick]

Chips.

 

[jamieweber]

Like potato chips?

Chickens are so funny. Mine did love popcorn the other day. And they fight over Cheerios.

 

[chicksurreal]

We use raw sunflower seeds. Our chickies will follow anywhere to get those.

We lead them into the run an hour or so before sunset with the seeds. If we don't, they will start roosting in the trees, and you're right, they get higher and higher in the trees if you try to roust them out once they get up there.

Our chickens love their freedom, so bribing them is a must! Lol!

 

[jennyg]

Clip their wings

 

[jamieweber]

@chicksurreal - do you use the sunflower seeds in the shell or out?

 

[rc4u]

if there in the trees just use a 8 foot pole with a big rag tied to the end and wae it around and they thlink its a hawk or owl and go to saftey...they will go in every nite if you do it for few days as they think they are out every nite...

 

[petrel]

I may be way off with this, but you might want to check the evening temperature in your coop and also confirm that there is enough roost space. Heat or crowding/picking could be a contributing factor.