What time do your chickens go to bed?

[barefootchef]

Mine go in way before dark. Probably about an hour before. They put themselves to bed and that is that. I just go and close the coop door. Easy peasy...

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yup, mine arise and roost with the sun, too. . . I think that is the natural way. . . . I am (so far) resisting using any artificial light. . . I'm convinced that "natures way" is the best.

I very much believe in it. My flock free ranges all day, under the watchful eye of my roo. They wake up with the sun and go to bed when it starts getting dark. All that's left for me to do is go out and lock them up.

 

[Country Heart]

Mine start moving toward their pen and requesting bedtime snacks about an hour before sundown. Once they have had their treats, they head for the perch to cuddle up for the night.

The routine works pretty well - it gets them safe in their covered pen before the hawks come by looking for dinner.

 

[jafo]

Ours are in bed by 4;30 pm. We run a light on a timer, and it's on at 5 am, off at 8, on again at 3 pm, and off again at 7. Today we got 5 eggs, one each bird, first time. We also have the auto door, what a great setup! All we do is collect the booty, clean 'em every 3rd day, and throw down a little scratch. They free range, (they have feed also) so when they're done we close the run gate at night after everyones settled in.

 

[Joyryder]

I have 2 coops and one pen. It amazes me how they always find the right coop. The Ameraucanas are laying well, go in before dusk, at least an hour (sometime close to 2 hours)before my BOs. My BO's aren't laying yet. They are all 24 weeks old. They just seem to have their own schedules!