Sleeping issues

[Sflanagan]

My 7-8 week old chickens were put outside in the coop/run, and they continue to want to sleep outside, huddled together in a corner of the run, despite the fact that they have a nice coop with a heat lamp for chillier nights. I have been going outside after dark to put them in the coop in hopes that they'll figure it out. Should I be doing something different? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Hennyhandler]

That is funny! I am in the exact same situation. I put the two on there and they hop back down and they are jumping back down. I think it comes from them being a little younger. I had two other birds that I had put outside and they were about 11 to 12 weeks old and they took to the roost very well. But the ones that I have out there now is the same age as yours and they are not getting it.
I think it is just going out there and putting them on there every night. They will get it eventually. It sure is frustrating though. I have went out there and put them up there and then when they jumped down I'd go and put them on there again. And again. And again. And...then I give up. LOL!!

 

[barbiegirl]

I put my chickens in the coop the first few nights and locked the door. Within the week they learned to go in by themselves.

 

[RedDrgn]

We were taking our chicks out to roam their run and coop at 1 week of age, so by the time they were fully feathered and ready for 100% coop/run/outdoor time, the transition was no big deal.

If your chickens aren't familiar with their coop, then they're not going to use it. So you need to teach them that this is their home and safe zone. If they are 4-6 weeks/fully feathered, then you don't need a heat lamp; they'll be fine. But start getting them used to the coop, and in the evenings when they start going nuts looking for a place to hunker down, physically place them in the coop and lock them there. They will likely make a heck of a fuss about it until full darkness settles in, but do it anyway....and keep doing it until they show themselves in in the evenings. It'll probably take less than a week for them to figure it out and put themselves to bed at night.

 

[devora]

But start getting them used to the coop, and in the evenings when they start going nuts looking for a place to hunker down, physically place them in the coop and lock them there. They will likely make a heck of a fuss about it until full darkness settles in, but do it anyway....and keep doing it until they show themselves in in the evenings. It'll probably take less than a week for them to figure it out and put themselves to bed at night.

This is IT. It's perfect advice. Follow it. Do not deviate. Do not hesitate. I promise it will make your life simpler!