Should I force my 9 week old chicks into the coop at night?

[anydayisnow]

They have been sleeping out in the enclosed run ever since it was finished (about 2 weeks ago). They haven't even gone inside the coop that I can tell since the run was built. Should I force them in there from time to time so they remember it exists?

They all sleep on one perch I have about 3 feet off the ground in the run. They seem happy. I just don't know if this is a problem.

 

[gritsar]

Chickens don't know this, but the safest place for them at night is in a predator proof coop.
I would take away their roost in the run and lock them in the coop for a couple of days, maybe even a week. Yes, they'll complain like the whole world hates them, but they'll get over it.
This will train them to consider the coop as home and they should go in there at night.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

I would encourage it so they will lay inside the coop when they do start laying. Also, even a completely enclosed run isn't safe from predators. People have had chickens pulled through a fence by a raccoon (and it is apparently not a pretty sight). Good luck making the kids do what is best for them.

 

[anydayisnow]

I should say that before the run was finished they were locked in the coop for almost 2 weeks. I would let them free range in the yard when I was around, and they would take themselves home when it started to get dark and I would shut them in.

I am in a very residential area, with a 6 foot privacy fence and a chainlink fence, and the run is completely covered.

 

[TexasVet]

Mine were in a dog kennel that was both covered and had double fencing about 4' tall around the inside. A possum made it's way through the corner where a rounded kennel panel intersected a squared panel. The gap was only about 4" wide and 6" long, but it managed to push through and kill a dozen 2-month old chicks.

Now I lock them in the coop every night.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com

 

[thedeacon]

Mine, about the same age as yours, also sleep outside at night. I do have a dog sleeping on the outside of the pen that keeps predators away. He has already killed 3 racoons. If it rains, they seem to go inside. Been doing this about 2 weeks and no problems to report