When will they start putting themselves to bed?

[I'm1chickencuddler]

Ours have been out in their coop and completely enclosed yard since this past Monday. We had 3 sets of chicks at different ages that we kept in the house in separate containers unable to access each other. The first dozen was a mixed lot from a farm about an hour from my house. We were supposed to have 4 Jersey Giants, 4 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Americaunas, 1 Silkie, and 1 Naked Neck. They were all supposed to be hens as my neighbors were all okay with me having chickens illegally(just no roosters). We have 6 Moyers Large we ordered from the feed store and 8 more Americaunas from the feed store. We lost one from the original batch and 3 of my 4 Jerseys were roosters that I found new homes for at a chicken swap last weekend. Anyways, we put the remaining 11 out in the coop with a heat source 2 weeks ago(around here it goes from just above freezing to blazing in the 90's in a matter of days). The pen wasn't completely enclosed yet so they were confined to the coop only. When we got the pen finished on Monday...we had everybody in separate huge dog crates so they could all see each other and get acquainted. No problem....we let them all out andthe naked neck tried to bully a few....no problem....all is well. When it came time to close up the coop....there was nobody in it....pitch black....no chickens in their coop. Hmmmmmmm.....well....we caught them all(not hard since they all mostly like to be held and cuddled), and put them to bed. Same thing Tuesday and Wednesday. Why would they not go to bed? How long does it take for them to get the hint? We figured the original 11 out there would certainly pioneer the way to show everybody else that it was a good safe place to be. They have plenty of ventilation, food and water in their coop. They don't fuss to go in....heck, they go in it during the day. My concern is the winter months. I don't want to catch chickens in freezing weather. Should I continue to put them in bed at night or leave them be. They are completely covered with netting and fencing. The only thing I can imagine getting in is rats and snakes. Everyone gets along and they have plenty of room. They have some small trees and bushes they roost in. That's where we find some of them at night and the others are huddled together on the ground. I just want them as safe as I can possibly make them. I know I can't keep snakes out and them huddled on the ground doesn't give me the warm fuzzies. Suggestions please!!!! AND THANK YOU!!!

 

[MareeZoCool]

Hello
Do you have a roost for the chickens at least 3 feet off the floor?

I've noticed my chknz are happiest with a roost as high to the roof as they can get .

They never told me, I think it's instinct.

Well Good luck to you & your chickens too!

 

[I'm1chickencuddler]

They are about 42 inches off the ground and the roosting poles are at varying heights inside the coop. One is about a foot off the floor of the coop and the other is about 2 foot off the floor of the coop. I am wondering if it is just too hot inside the coop. I think I have it well ventilated but how do I know for sure? The entire floor is chicken wire, the door is hardware cloth, and it has 4.5 inches of vent around the entire roof line front and back. I keep the floor clear and they seem happy. They don't protest going in when we put them in...they just don't go in by themselves.

 

[bullyforme]

My pullets don't seem to know how to climb the ramp up into their coop. I had a terrible time trying to catch them yesterday (I've only had them a week and they're still frightened of me), their first day in their pen. I blocked off most of the pen to keep it easier to round them up but can anyone tell me how long it'll take them to learn how to use the ramp? I sprinkled some crumbles on the ramp steps to encourage them to climb up.

 

[bullyforme]

I'm pleased to report the pullets have been putting themselves to bed for several days now. Yay!