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Pullets won't go inside at night

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by hbchicknmama, Aug 24, 2016.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Aug 24, 2016 #1
    hbchicknmama

    hbchicknmama Out Of The Brooder

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    Apr 28, 2015
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Hi everyone,
    We have 2 hens that are almost a year and a half and 3 girls that are about 5 months old. The three older ones refuse to go inside the coop at night on their own like the older two and I have to put them inside every single night. Any suggestions on getting them to learn to go inside on their own??? Help!
     
  3. Aug 24, 2016 #2
    WiddleChix

    WiddleChix Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jul 15, 2016
    California
    do you put them in the coop when it's dark out? Something you could try is taking a light out into the coop and placing the chickens in the coop to jump onto the roost by themselves.

    I had to teach my almost 4 month olds to sleep in the coop. I started by placing them on the roost at night for about a week and a half, then I took a a light into the coop after realizing they couldn't see to get on the roost themselves, and after that night they have been sleeping in the coop on their roosts without me having to do anything. What helped the most was letting them get up on the roost by themselves. They even thought the turkeys to roost with them.

    If I wasn't clear on something go ahead and ask and I'll try to explain better :p
     
  5. Aug 25, 2016 #3
    aart

    aart Chicken Juggler! Premium Member

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    Nov 27, 2012
    SW Michigan
    My Coop
    How long have you had the 3 younger ones?
    How big is your coop (in feet be feet)?
    How long is your roost (again, in feet)?
     
  7. Aug 25, 2016 #4
    chickens really

    chickens really Overrun With Chickens

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    The Funny Farm....Alberta, Canada
    Are the birds still trying to figure out the pecking order? I mean pecking and chasing?
    Just keep putting them in...They will figure it out.
     
  9. Aug 25, 2016 #5
    hbchicknmama

    hbchicknmama Out Of The Brooder

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    Apr 28, 2015
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Yea the older ones are still acting territorial but not really pecking the younger ones. I added some solar lights inside the run by the ramp and I am hoping they figure it out. Tonight they were posted up on the outside of the nesting boxes roosting on the edge. When I put them in should I put them on the ground by the ramp and let them walk in or open the door and put them inside myself? [​IMG]
     
  11. Aug 26, 2016 #6
    carlf

    carlf Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Either way:

    Pick them up and place them on the roost.


    Is the run secure from predators? If so, I would just let them figure it out.
     

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