Should I force chickens inside at night.

[donagel]

I have two chicken, about 3 months old and a coop that has a house part and a run part all surrounded by wire fencing.(including the floor) Unless a predator can open locks, the chickens are safe in either area.

Each night I go out and usher the chicken into the house part of the coop. It is very apparent they would rather roost on a two by two in the run area. There is a roosting bar in the house as well, but they have not really used it yet. It has gotten down into the high 40's and they still stay outside.

Since they are safe in the run, do I need to teach them to go inside? The only down side I can think of is the cold (which will soon not be a problem) and them using the appropriate nesting box when they start laying eggs.

Thoughts?

 

[joshremlin]

I would most likely try and get them use to going in by them selfs at night because you might find a problem with smashed eggs and stuff if there laying in the run although of you struggle i would'nt worry too much as there safe and of the runs not too big you should find the eggs easy, just my thought but what are others?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum! Glad you joined us!

If you are comfortable your run is truly predator-proof, I see no real reason to force them inside. I’d leave that door open so they can go inside if they want to. You never know what the weather is going to do but if you give them some options they can normally handle it.

At that age they are fully feathered so they should be fine in much colder temperatures. I wouldn’t worry about them not using the nest boxes inside yet. Put a fake egg in them (I use golf balls). When they start laying, they will probably use the nests. If they don’t get back to us, but I would not worry about a problem like that which might occur but probably won’t. If it happens you can handle it then.