Question about getting chickens to bed

[McChooky]

Lights on timers solved my problem.They couldn't resist having lights after dark. I use motion lights now.

 

[MeeMawsChicks]

So my 5 birds have been moved into their coop and run for a little over a month. I had read that they needed to stay solely in their coop for the first couple days to a week to learn where their home was and make it easier to get them to go back inside at night. I would've kept them in their longer, but there was a heatwave after the 3rd day and it was cooler outside than in their coop and I had read 3 days should be fine. However they haven't been going in their coop at night on their own. Every night I have to pick them each up and place them in their coop. Some of them cooperate but the others run around and do not wanna go in. Is this normal? Is there any way to get them all to go in voluntarily?

It took a little while, but I kept repeating the words “Get in your house” in a happy but firm voice, every time I put them in their coop. I continued to do that until eventually, when they hear me say, “Get in your house!” They all start jumping up and heading to bed, LOL! There is always that one defiant little booger who argues with me about it though, and one other one who constantly has to get one last bite of scratch or one last drink of water but they all know to head in for the night.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

I also have a call word for 'snacks or treats' (in my case it is 'pudding!') and in a pinch I use that word to get everyone's attention. Just make sure that there is always a snack to accompany the call. (never lie about the truly important things )

 

[Audi0]

So my 5 birds have been moved into their coop and run for a little over a month. I had read that they needed to stay solely in their coop for the first couple days to a week to learn where their home was and make it easier to get them to go back inside at night. I would've kept them in their longer, but there was a heatwave after the 3rd day and it was cooler outside than in their coop and I had read 3 days should be fine. However they haven't been going in their coop at night on their own. Every night I have to pick them each up and place them in their coop. Some of them cooperate but the others run around and do not wanna go in. Is this normal? Is there any way to get them all to go in voluntarily?

You could try a flash light or I got a magnetic usb light off of Amazon. Stick the sticker on the wall then light comes down to charge it was a 3 pack so always had a charge one up. Also no batteries for the chicks to peck into. Also the remote had a 10 -60 min auto off function. If it’s dark out but coop is lit up it can definitely help.

 

[Nyhillbillies]

It’s all about vocabulary! Each one of our little flock of 6 have names which we gave them (they came to us as free-ranging adults from the neighbors big flock), that they respond to. So, you CAN teach old chickens new tricks!

 

[Henny Wrenny]

They're about 10 weeks old. We moved them outside at around 5 or 6 weeks old I'd say (it was hard to tell what age they were). A ramp was built for them and they go in and out just fine during the day but get pretty stubborn around bedtime lol.

I’m so happy to see this post. This is my first time having chickens. Mine are 10 weeks old too and I have to put them in their coop by hand every night. There’s always one that’s difficult. I put them in the coop 1/2 hour before sundown. Should I wait and see if they’ll go in on their own? Tonight was 20 minutes before sundown and they still hadn’t gone in.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Should I wait and see if they’ll go in on their own?

Yes. The signal for them to go to bed is that it is getting dark. Give them a chance for nature to work. You can stay with them if you want, might be interesting to you to see how they go to bed, but be a bit patient.

 

[Regina Larsen]

So my 5 birds have been moved into their coop and run for a little over a month. I had read that they needed to stay solely in their coop for the first couple days to a week to learn where their home was and make it easier to get them to go back inside at night. I would've kept them in their longer, but there was a heatwave after the 3rd day and it was cooler outside than in their coop and I had read 3 days should be fine. However they haven't been going in their coop at night on their own. Every night I have to pick them each up and place them in their coop. Some of them cooperate but the others run around and do not wanna go in. Is this normal? Is there any way to get them all to go in voluntarily?

We do a tasty treat for every species at bedtime. Makes everyone happy to go in. After working all day this farm mama doesn't like to chase critters

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

I’m so happy to see this post. This is my first time having chickens. Mine are 10 weeks old too and I have to put them in their coop by hand every night. There’s always one that’s difficult. I put them in the coop 1/2 hour before sundown. Should I wait and see if they’ll go in on their own? Tonight was 20 minutes before sundown and they still hadn’t gone in.

Much like humans... As they get older the bedtime will become earlier.

Remember not wanting to go to bed as a toddler? Now the sweet sweet sheets call your name and you happily climb in at the end of the day. No one has to argue with you for you to head for bed after a day of chasing hens!

Chickens also get older... My little RIR all head up to bed a good 90 min before sunset on summer nights. The Leghorns go into the coop, but mostly just walk around until later. I can close the door, they just socialize and snack a little before finding a comfortable bed. I don't like waiting for dark because I once crossed paths with a racoon at the end of the day (he was starting his work day as I was ending mine). So I want everyone in their house before the darkness comes. Your girls will pick up on what makes you happy and what makes you stressed and will comply. (but toddlers like to test boundaries. )