Training to go in at night?

[Cryss]

That’s what my girls do - use the run roost to fly/jump into the coop. They are bigger than yours of course, so it’s more of a flapping leap. Lol

It sounds like they will get it eventually. Is it dusk at 4:30? It’s dusk a little after 5 here, but I know my girls start to roost around 4:45. By 6 it’s dark. Ugh.

Well, to tell the truth, I'm not sure when they should be in. I've tried waiting till it was dark but by then they are huddled on the ground. I don't think they can see their way. It's not actually dark at 4:30 so maybe l should wait another 15 minutes. My property is surrounded by woods so l don't see sunrise/sunset. I've been kinda going by how dark it's getting here which can be sooner than half mile away down the mountain where there is some open sky.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I think the way you described it, it’s probably the right time for them to start heading in. I’m just sad at how soon dusk comes at this time of the year.

 

[peckpeckpeck]

Ok that's a great start!

You can check the official "sundown" on google. Or if you have an iphone, the weather app shows you a little sundown.

But it sounds like you got them in at a good time since the other girls followed in.

Yeah it's depressing when I get home from work at 5:30 and it already feels like midnight.

 

[Cryss]

Well l got lost in wrapping Christmas gifts and was late putting the girls to bed. I found them in their usual corner on the ground. I just put them inside in random order. We'll try again tomorrow.
On a better note, here's a pic of the work we did installing a 4 ft branch corner to corner as a roost leaving the original roosts in place. Also covered 2 nest areas to prevent soiling but left the third open with the roost over it. Hoping they like it.

 

[Cryss]

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Love the amazon smiley. Ha. I put a thin board up over those same nest boxes!
How did you fix the branch to the coop? I could totally do this!

 

[Cryss]

Love the amazon smiley. Ha. I put a thin board up over those same nest boxes!
How did you fix the branch to the coop? I could totally do this!

I measured corner to corner, 4 ft. Found a good branch, sorta straight, not too big on far end, not too thin on skinny end. Removed all twigs, filed off any sharp bumps. After hubby n I lined it up nicely l held it in place from the cleanout door while he screwed 2 screws in from the outside of the coop. Then I held it in place from the nest door while actually climbed halfway inside the cleanout door to reach the far corner and screw 2 more screws into that end but from inside this time, toenailing it in place. And, Voila! You can do it too

 

[peckpeckpeck]

Oh dang. Well tomorrow's another day.

Maybe you can lure them in with treats each evening & lock them in for the night

 

[Cryss]

Oh dang. Well tomorrow's another day.

Maybe you can lure them in with treats each evening & lock them in for the night

I have some BOSS I tried to use. I tried using some weedy greens from the garden. I'm sure they'll get it someday. I was hoping that would be before the snow flies!

 

[Cryss]

Checked on gals an hour before their bed. No signs of headed in that direction. Half hour later I check again with a plan. I sprinkle a bit of BOSS in the henhouse and leave them to their own devices. Another half hour later and its bedtime. Nope. These girls think they are badass owls. Ok, Pecca won't use the ladder so lets see if when I put her in does anyone follow? EGGY! Good girl! Hmmmmm....no one else? Ladies? NO EGGY! STAY INSIDE! C'mon girls, its getting dark...Dark means light shows up more brightly. I opened the cleanout door window and shined (shone?) my flashlight at the ceiling (don't want to blind the chickens). Nugget and Maryjane soon took notice. Nugget started up the ladder, Maryjane soon followed. At the door Eggy started to come back out but before I could interfere Maryjane pushed her back inside. Now only Maryjane stood with her fluffy butt still sticking out of the coop. A little push and they're all in! I think I'm going to put a battery operated nightlight in the coop to draw them in. About 2 hours later hubby went out and put them up on the roost, trying to not disturb them too much. He stood by a couple minutes then checked and they were still on the roost. They'v never roosted at night so I think we're gonna do this till they get it. Stay tuned.