Why Will They Not Go In At Night?

[milezone]

Thanks guys for the tips, will work em for a few more days and see if they get the hint. What would happen if I leave them out? The problem I have is our Auto Door Opener/Closer, closes at night automatically. It's a pain to reach in the coop to the switch that opens door, and closes. maybe if I just leave them out htey might start going in by themselves?

Russ

 

[The Tinman]

If you leave them out at night you run the risk of something getting them.

 

[GarlicEater]

Quote:
Wow, insightful!

What about giving them a goodie like a bit of scratch or something, when it's dusky-dark, near their roosting area so when they're done eating it, there's not much else to do but go to bed in the proper place?

 

[Lacrystol]

I had 7 chickens do the same thing every night I would have to pick them up and carry them in the coop,you would like they would learn from the old times but they dont. I finally had to train them by not picking them up and making them walk into the coop on there own. Yes, i had to chase my chickens to go to bed, sounds like a child to me.. lol Sounds crazy but after about a week of doing this they finally got the hint..

 

[milezone]

Hi All,

Ok so I have been taking them in each night, they seem to be fighting it, and all grouping together on the coop floor in the corner. So I try to get them on the roost by picking them up and placing them on there, but they just fly down and back to the group? It's not cold (70's here), and I have a ladder type roost with 4 rows. I even have a light on inside the coop.

I feel like maybe I have some serious retarded chicks. They are right now 4 weeks old, so maybe I am too early at this?

Russ

 

[DanEP]

At 4 weeks not roosting is normal, you might try a lite in the coop it won't be so dark and scary in there.You may have to change the time on the door till they get the hang of it tho. If it is getting dark outside and is light in the coop it may make it more apealing. Remember chickens don't see well in the dark and won't go into a dark coop on their own.

Good luck Dan

 

[Orp]

I've been having the same problems. Often I only get some but not all of them inside the coop -- there are nine. The coop is a box stall inside a barn and is covered with chicken wire on the top and sides. What they do at dusk is to fly up to the top of the chicken wire and roost there. Of course I can't reach them up there, the little devils!!! I only feed and water inside the coop, and I only do that at the end of the day hoping they will follow me into the coop when I arrive with fresh water and dinner. Somehow with warmer weather they must be getting enough bugs and grubs to no longer be interested in chicken feed.

The other problem is now they no longer lay in the nesting boxes in the coop. God knows where those eggs are. So I've been trying to put phony eggs in particular places -- hay bales -- so at least they know where I want them to nest. Guess what? One of the hens -- I think it's the Wyandott -- OBJECTS to the phony egg and PUSHES off the hay bales to the floor! The phony egg is HEAVY -- it's marble with a smooth slippery surface that does not seem like it would be very easy for a chicken to move, but she does!

The light is a good idea -- I'm going to give that a try. Thanks!

 

[The Tinman]

Try to coach them in with some treats at night. Scramble eggs,cooked oatmeal or what ever. Put it in a bowl inside the coop. After a while when they see you coming they will follow you.

 

[foghorn24]

You guys! The chickens love to be outside during sundown. They have to be helped at first, especially if there is no light inside the coop to guide them where they need to go to roost. It is up to us to help them. Once it gets dark they will roost where they are. So right before it gets dark, go put your girls away. They will be happy for that. Usually after awhile, they will automatically go in. It is instinct. But always, always put your girls to bed. Also, every chicken is different. You just have to be there for them.