Retraining to coop after predator attack

[hensinmaine]

We had a sad occurance this week. After dinner, I sat on the porch watching the chickens. My husband thought I was putting them in the coop, but it was only 6pm and they like to party until about 8 this time of year. I had been sick with a cold, so I went lay down while he cleaned up the kitchen and put the kids to bed. No one closed the coop door.

In the morning, 4 of our 6 pullets were still there, by some miracle. The two we lost, just a few feathers left.

Now the girls are afraid to go in the coop at night.

Everything I have read about retraining them says to leave them in the coop for 1-2 weeks. However, this training is not recommended if coop temps are over 70 degrees and we have 80 to 90 degrees predicted for the next week.

Any advice? Would it work to installl a box fan and use some ice jugs? I don't want to stress them any more than they have already been. Is there any way to restore the chicken utopia they had before our careless mistake?

TIA.

 

[thomasboyle]

Sorry for your losses. Do you have a light in the coop? I set one up on a timer to go on at sunset, and stay on for an hour afterwards. This makes it so they don't go into a dark coop. You can also feed them inside the coop, this will give them extra motivation to go in for food and treats. Let us know how it goes.

 

[hensinmaine]

Ah, that's a great idea! We will try that tonight.