Why Will They Not Go In At Night?

[milezone]

Hi All,

Ok my chicks (25 of them) are now outside. We put them in thier coop a few days ago. They love thier run area, and seem to love the coop. But the last 2 nights I see they will not go inside at night? They all group up outside? I have had to grab them up and get them in the coop? Is this normal, will they start understanding they need to be in coop at dark, and on thier roosts? Getting a bit worried I am doing something wrong?

Russ

 

[Campngolf]

My girls did the same thing for the first 10 days or so they were in their coop.

 

[paddock36]

Mine did too when when they were young. I put them in the coop for a few days and then they got the hang of it.

 

[trunkman]

I put mine in the coop for a few days before I let them out in the run so they know where home is when it gets dark. They know where to go when it gets dark now, instinct I guess..

 

[crtrlovr]

It may take several days of putting them inside at night before they start to get the idea they're supposed to go inside before it gets dark. I think what happens is that as it starts getting dusky-dark, they instinctively know it's "bedtime", but by that time the inside of the coop is usually darker than it is outside, and they're afraid to go in. Some people leave a low-wattage light on in the coop until the birds go in to roost, then turn it off each night after they're safely tucked away inside. Others just carry them inside for however long it takes for the birds to realize this is "home" for sleeping.

 

[ginormous chicken]

Yes! and yes! I spent the first week, hand picking up 5 chicks and placing them on the roost, 1 by 1. The got the hang of it eventually. I don't know why, they don't figure it out immediately. I attribute it to the fact that they aren't the brightest creatures in the world.

 

[crtrlovr]

Quote:

 

[Arielle]

Maybe it's because they don't have a mom to show them the ropes . . . .roost!

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Uh, ditto... I still have to "put away" two 6 month old layers 2- 9 month old bantam pullets, and 2 - 4 month old bantam cockerels. Just part of my routine at this point. LOL.

 

[Heckel's Hens]

Thank goodness I am not alone! They have no problem going into the coop, but it sounds like holy hell in there as they try to get to the top roost. I am currently helping each and every one fo them up there, b/c we have to rework the layout so it's easier for them.