Staying out in the cold?!?

[MissE]

That seems a bit harsh... not sure I could do that

That's the easiest way to coop train them. They learn that is home, and will continue to think its home after they are let loose again.

 

[MzSharon]

There could be a few reasons they aren’t going in.
How warm is the inside of the coop compared to the outside?
Do you have enough ventilation in the coop?
Is the pecking order pushing some out into the run?
Is it getting too dark for them to get into the coop?

Good questions... we’re good on all but, getting too dark. My brother also suggest a dim red light for in the coop might help them to be more comfortable in the coop. They each go into the coop each day to lay an egg!

 

[MzSharon]

Maybe they like the cooler weather?

Who would like cold weather!!

 

[MzSharon]

That's the easiest way to coop train them. They learn that is home, and will continue to think its home after they are let loose again.

They are roosting right outside the coop door, but still within the enclosed run. They go inside the coop once a day to lay an egg.

 

[MissE]

They are roosting right outside the coop door, but still within the enclosed run. They go inside the coop once a day to lay an egg.

If they are safe, let them be. Cold to you is not the same as cold to a chicken. Heat is more dangerous to them.

 

[MzSharon]

As long as they are safe from predators and can stay dry, they should be fine. I'm in northern MN. We're heading for another cold snap this weekend. It will be 30-35 below without wind chill. Mine will be in the coop, but there's no heat.

Whoa - that’s cold! They are safe within the enclosure, roosting right next to the coop.

 

[MzSharon]

If they are safe, let them be. Cold to you is not the same as cold to a chicken. Heat is more dangerous to them.

Thanks! They are safe within the enclosure. The coop is not heated, but warmer than 10-20 degrees outside!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Good questions... we’re good on all but, getting too dark. My brother also suggest a dim red light for in the coop might help them to be more comfortable in the coop. They each go into the coop each day to lay an egg!

A battery operated tap light should be enough to help them find their way, turn it on before dark, and off once they're settled.

I prefer the natural method - sunlight through a window - but now is probably not the time to be putting one in!

One other thing to check for - are there roost mites or any other pest? Nighttime is ideal for checking for roost mites, run a paper towel under the roost and look for tiny red smears.

 

[aart]

I always ask....
How old are birds?
How many of what genders?
How big is coop, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics, inside and out, would help here.

 

[Abriana]

A light sometimes helps my younger babies know how to go in. I never leave mine out but that is because I don’t have an enclosed run, so as long as they’re safe I’d say they probably know what they are doing. If there’s going to be an ice storm or rain or something I’d put each of them in though. Like someone above said, locking them in the coop for about 3 days will coop-train them so that they return to their intended home each night. And consistency is key! If you don’t want them roosting out there in the winter, don’t allow them to do so in the summer either. No matter the season, ALL birds of mine go in the coop at night. I do have two windows though, and a large hardware cloth covered hatch which opens and closes for summer/winter weather. When it gets to be warmer perhaps you could add some windows or something to get more light in there