Novice here, have some questions

[Melnurse]

Hi all,
I've finally put the 12-week old chickens in their permanent home (I had been bringing them in at night and it became quite the routine). They've slept all night in their coop which has a run attached, but I am having a hard time getting them to go up into the coop at night. See pic below. There's a ladder into the coop and we have rigged a door to close them in there once they're all in (4 of them). But they just sit down below and huddle up together. I've read some posts on here and some people say that their eyesight is not so good at night, so won't go into a dark doorway (coop doorway), so we rigged a light (solar) that will stay on with movement inside the coop for now. We'll see tonight if they go in there.
Any other insights into how to get them to go in there every night without having to crawl in and capture each one and show 'em the way?
Also, is it necessary to have feed/water in there overnight? Or just water?

Thanks, I love this site!
Mel

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Taking the food out over night will discourage rodents, but it is not necessary. Lock your chicks in the coop for a week or so - they will learn, "Hey, this is home! We should sleep in here." Good luck!