When do you usually put your chickens in the coop for the night?

[sbhkma]

I have a chicken run attached to a coop/run


The upper level has 2 roosts and access to 2 egg nests.
I have an electric fence running around this coop/run area that I turn on when they're in at night.
I also have a 6 x 8, 5 foot high run that attaches to the front door area of this coop. My pullets get locked in the primary coop at night with electric wire around the bottom. The girls wake up and get to roam in their smaller downstairs run until I let them out around 9am-after the morning predators are done. Of course, their door stays open and the electric fence gets turned off. They free range all day and about an hour or two before dusk-and before the dusk predators are out-I use mealworms and call them into their 6 X 8 run. They happily come running. I close that run and they have access to the run, their smaller run under the coop and the upper coop. Once they go to bed I close up the main coop and turn on the electric fence. If I want them in their main coop before they feel like going in, I just go "herd" them in. Since at this point they're in the 6 X 8 run, getting them in the coop door isn't a problem. Then I give them more mealworms as a reward and lock up fort knox. The go roost upstairs when it's dark and even if they didn't, they're safe from predators. Been working so far, but I've only had the girls for about a month and a half.

Treats... the way to a chicken or a man's heart!

 

[ChickenClaire]

Hi, I'm new to BYC, however have had chickens before. I've got a new flock of 5 Australorpes, approx 1-1/2-2 months old. They are in a large fenced in area, coop is in the middle. I
like to close their coop door at night due to predators, however they will not go back into their coop at night. They have been in the fenced area for 2 weeks now. The first week when coop door was opened, they did not venture outside, this week (#2) they are all outside but at night, I have to go out and put them back in the coop and close the door. The last flock we had went in every night at dusk. Any advise? Thanks Lisa

I don't know... My chickens went in on there own by the second day. I agree with rapunzel162, try putting treats into the coop when its time to go in.
Good Luck!!

 

[JKRopee]

I have 3 new chicks about 10 weeks old. They have been free-ranging with their year old sisters for a month and are learning the pecking order. However, at night I have been putting them in a coop in the garage since the big girls are so territorial. However, I need the chicks to learn to go into the coop at night, up the ramp and onto the roost. The big girls are not having it. . . help!

 

[JKRopee]

I love your coop. . .

 

[Avianman]

All my chickens except my silkies go back in their coop on their own around 8:30 or so. They all free range from morning til night. I just go out and close the coop door.

The silkies...well...they sit at the door to my workshop. I have no idea why. I pick them up and put them back in the coop at night.

I think McMurray sells an automatic dusk/dawn coop door, but it is pricey. Tempting, for sure.
I have latches on my coop and an attached run. Two of the serama chickens go in the run only.

The rest of the chickens are as free as, we'll, a bird. Allows me to keep several roosters with minimal issues.

 

[20736]

Yeah.
Withhold feed for the day, then put feeder in coop.
they will go in.
Couple days of that will learn 'em.

 

[JKRopee]

The problem seems to be one of territory, my older hens won't let the younger ones in the coop, they just chase them away. One night, I tried putting the chicks in the coop, after the older hens were already on the roost, well, I won't do that to them again. It was not pretty. . . the 3 chicks were piled up on top of each other as far away from the hens as they could get.when I opened up the coop the next morning.

Anyway, they are free-ranging together but the big girls are still chasing them around the yard, though not quite as much. guess it's just going to take more time. But, I am sure open to suggestions, I'm pretty new to keeping chickens.

 

[Chicky 13]

they go in by them selfs about 10 minutes before I can actually notice its starting to get dark !

 

[lisa25]

Mine go in themselves now, but when they didn't I gave them the scraps and they all usually came in.

 

[rapunzel162]

Have you heard of pecking order? It came from chickens. They have their own "whos the BOSS". LOLOL They will soon learn, who the bosses are. In the meantime make some broken spagetti, rice, top ramen,and give the babies special attention. I also give them grass clippings, worms etc.Ive been turning an old greenhouse, into a brand new chicken house, (I should have taken pictures first) Ill take some today.All the new sides are on. Then the outside pens will be built on both sides. That way I can regrow grass, and treats on BOTH sides Ill have a drop door to each side. One small pen and 1 big pen.I dont think 14 chicks need a 1300.00 house and pens. But I have a real contractor building it all. Im doing it in 3 colors when I paint it. With gingerbread, and a screen door! And flower boxes.
While my friend the contractor, is doing this, Im making square foot gardens in pots, and small beds,because I have some health issues. And yes pots, for my chickens as well. (lettuce and swiss chard, and peas.) Maybe someone can tell me how to put the pictures on when I take them with my laptop. I dont know how. Have a great day ALL!