tips on managing my flock

[NP Farmers]

We have had our chickens out in the coop/run for the past 3 weeks now and it seems like every night I have to go outside and physically put the girls back in the hen house for the night. They seem to want to just roost on a branch that we have out in the run. can someone please help me so I dont have to go out there every night to make sure they put themselves to bed.

 

[Vicky2479]

I would remove the branch for now, then go out and up them in the coop for the night and close the door (make sure they have enough light to see the roosts in the coop or they will just settle on the floor) it might take a week or so but they will get the picture. Don't put the branch back in the run till they are going in the coop on their own everynight.

 

[donrae]

Is the run secure from predators? I'm guessing so if that's where they spend their days............why not just leave them there? It really doesn't matter where they sleep if they're not going to be picked off by coons, etc. I've had birds sleep in trees outside above the coop for a few years, even during wind storms, hail, light snow, etc with no problems.

If it really concerns you, remove the branch. Don't feed them all day until the evening, then feed them in the coop. When they go in to eat, lock them in. They'll make a fuss but get over it.