When will they put themselves in the coop at night?!

[mshirk]

Jeez. 4 nights locked in the coop overnight with food, water, all cozy compared to outside. Same bedding material as the run. Tonight I had to come home late, and looked to see if they had gone to bed. Thought they had, but discovered all 3 JAMMED in a corner in the bottom making bedtime noises.

I had to pry them out with a roosting stick they were so far under the coop overhang. Put them in the coop, closed up the opening, and again they act like I am killing them.

When do they learn or come into their natural habit of roosting higher up? They go into the upper coop area during the day and come back out with no issues.

Is this something that takes time? How much?? Don't they know sleeping down load is dangerous (well, not in my coop, but in general for chickens).

 

[ChooksChick]

Go to the link for my BYC page and look in the list of articles for the one "Why won't they go in the coop at night?" or some such...


There are lots of reasons, but I bet that light is your answer!

Good luck.

 

[mshirk]

If light in the coop is the issue, how in the heck do I deal with that? I have no way to run power to the coop. I don't want to spent $40 on a solar landscape light. If I use a stick on night-light, I'll be using up batteries right and left. Is the nightlight the best solution?

If I need light, how long do I need to keep that up?

 

[MeowCluckBark]

right now I have an outdoor extension cord I run from my kitchen out my backdoor to the coop with a low wattage bulb in a metal shield type fixture inside the coop. I've been out with the girls when I let them out since the run isn't done yet. Yesterday they headed over to the coop themselves. My 3 9 week old jersey giants went in. My 2 5 week light brahma chicks went to the ramp and nestled down next to it making the "I wanna sleep mom" sounds. I had to try to usher them in but they get silly when they don't want to be caught. I usually catch one and bait the other to come along. I finally got them in and they went straight to the roost bar and went to bed. Silly girls.

I think the more they get used to feeling safe in a spot the more it feels like home. If you have to, try a battery powered LED light or something. Maybe a camping lantern. Just something to help them feel secure for a little bit.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If it is a light issue, could you provide a window? It does not have to be a real expensive thing. Cut out a hole and put a piece of plexiglass over it. Or just cover it with hardware cloth, depending on your climate.

How old are they? My brooder raised chicks usually don't start to roost until they are around 10 to 12 weeks old. Until then, they sleep in a pile on the floor in a "protected" corner. It is possible they are finding the most protected looking area on the ground that they can find until they are ready to roost.

My broody raised chicks usually start to roost around 4 weeks old. Mama takes them up to the roost and they learn. If this is the problem, try putting them on the roost when you put them on there at night. They may not stay up there, especially if they have enough light to see to get down, but then they may.

What I would try is to leave them locked in the coop for a week or longer. Four nights may not have been long enough.

Good luck! This one can be a bit challenging.

 

[bburn]

Quote:
Had the same problem with some adult cochins....now you would think they would know to go in...but noooooo....

Went to Dollar General and bought a very cheap package of three LED lights that you just push to come on. Battery operated and they were included.

I started going out around 4 pm and pressing the light on.....worked the first night....turned the light on three more days and quit but they didn't and never slept outside again. For you, if you come in after dark.....just leave the little light on...they are dirt cheap. Oh....and they stick up if you have a place to stick them!!!!

 

[mshirk]

Thanks for the idea of the stick-on LED lights! Didn't know they existed

I was going to go to various stores today (shopping for my chickens all day!

) and wasn't even sure what sorts of things I should be looking for.

Thanks everyone! I was really irritated last night. This morning seeing my cute chickies pecking in the sun makes me feel they are worth the irritation