What time do your chickens put themselves to bed?

[Magnolia7330]

My chicks have been outside now for 2 weeks. They are 7 weeks old. They promptly put themselves to bed at 8:00pm (on the dot!) each night. Just curious if others chickens put themselves in the coop at a specific time each night?

 

[ECarter1217]

mine go to bed as soon as the sun is gone

 

[Ridgerunner]

Not at a specific time, it varies depending on how dark and cloudy it might be. I can get a half hour difference depending in whether the skies are clear or it is really dark and dreary. Right now it could be 8:15, it could be 8:45.

 

[TattooedChicks]

8:05 and all my 9 week old girls vanish into thin air as long as the weather is nice. Any clouds or rain and they tuck in much sooner.

 

[Mace Gill]

Sunset. Except for Hortense. She likes her 'me time' and stays out just a little later until it's actually dark.

 

[dawnd13]

Right now mine are at 7:45pm they have been getting later as the days get longer. I have to change my door open/close times this weekend so no one gets left out.

 

[tinakevin]

Sunset. Except for Hortense. She likes her 'me time' and stays out just a little later until it's actually dark.

I have a black silkie named gronkowski (she's a girl but I didn't know that when I named her lol) that does the same. One time I didn't see her and she got left outside. Good thing I have a secure run. I felt so bad for her. Now I have a flashlight In hand lol

 

[HomesteaderEd]

I hadn't noticed until i read more into the thread. Mine when in about 8pm EST now that Ive looked at the clock and guesstimated the time I saw them go in and stare at me from their desired roost location.

 

[GC-Raptor]

My girls go into pen from free ranging around sunset, earlier if cloudy. They go into coop 10 to 15 minutes after sunset, earlier if cloudy or raining. GC

 

[Petra Pancake]

Mine often hang around outside after sunset - maybe they hope that I somehow forget them there and they can have "wild junglefowl night" in their favorite hiding place under the deck. Too dangerous, of course. I have trained them with the help of treats to go into the coop when I come for my evening round and make a hissing noise. I usually throw a bit of food into the coop at the same time. Sometimes they also go inside on their own before I get to them, but I wouldn't rely on that.