When do yours go in the coop at night?

[jmeeter88]

I free range my chickens, and am getting a tad worried here. It's 5:20PM, and starting to get dark. Sunset isn't until 6:10PM though. They seem to be just hanging around outside, one is even roosting on the motorcycle trailer.

Should I coax them inside now, or should I just let them go in when they feel like it?

 

[bluebirdfarm]

they will usually go in by themselves,if not i would def coax them in , mione usually go in around right befor dark , so it is a little early, wait a bit.

 

[jacyjones]

Mine go in at dusk on their own - I have never had to coax them in, they just seem to know.

 

[jmeeter88]

Ok. I was a bit worried because they were all "bedding down" in some tall grass, and then I saw one hop on and roost on the trailer. But I think I am just being an overprotective father! We have had 2/2 success for them going in on their own, lol.

 

[Lothiriel]

mine go in when they want to. it's usually before it gets really dark. they seem to have a good instinct as to how long it is safe to be out. i don't think you need to worry.

 

[jmeeter88]

Tomorrow I am going to install some ring-shaped LED lights, and flip them on around 5:30. That way when the entire yard is dark, it's like "Hey!!! There's a light over there!!" and then I'll shut it off around 7:30PM...

 

[Lothiriel]

that's a neat idea! cool!

 

[debilorrah]

Mine are very orderly chickens. They go in at dusk with very little fight. My buffer is the last in. Here's the kicker - then the babies come out to play until dark. It is funny to see this changing of guard every night.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

I always put mine up at 5-5:30 in the fall because it starts to get dark here at about 6. If I let them go in on their own they wait until just a few minutes before total darkness to go in.

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

no idea, they put themselves in most nights. Granted they are in a run. So they cant get far. But most nights I go out there after dark and they are already in the coop, on the roost and I dont hear a peep or a cluck from them.

I did just come in at 5:45 from having to put them in for the night. No idea