Why won't my chicken go inside there coop durring the day

[gichickens]

Hi everyone my chicken are know 5 1/2 old an i put them out side all day an bring them in at night. They basicy have all there feathers know. But when I put them in there coop they don't go outside I always have to pick them up an place them out side. It is like in the 80s here. They they don't go back inside the coop to eat or drink, ik they eat bugs ect but what about the water???

 

[MoonShadows]

I notice you have chicken wire in your picture. Chicken wire will not be sufficient for any large predators. They can tear right through it. You need to have hardware cloth, 1/4" x 1/4" at least 19 gauge, even 16 gauge if your predators are strong. I really don't have any advice about keeping predators away, so a stronger defense is your best bet. There are plenty of threads on BYC about creating a predator proof coop and run.

 

[dmack]

There are devices that will scare away predictors. I will look in the morning in get you the web site. But fully agree with above. Chicken wire is a great back up in addition to your welded wire or hardware cloth. Also another idea is a double fence. By the time it gets through the first you will have more time to scare it of or kill it. In addition I recommend a guard dog or even a couple guineas. They are great alert birds. They make some god awful noises she. Something isnt right around their coop.

 

[dmack]

As for the light issue how cold are your nights getting in your area?

 

[Judy]

They don't need a light at night; they sleep best in natural darkness, but the coop should be arranged so it lightens as dawn comes, naturally. And I agree with MoonShadows. Many animals will eat chickens. The only thing I know of that deters bears very effectively is an electric fance with a good jolt. 1/4" hardware cloth will work for most others. Chicken wire is really only good for keeping chickens out of an area, like your garden.

 

[gichickens]

Thanks everyone so far yeah I plan on installing welded hard wear cloth an I aso am going to get the scare crow sprinkler an also this red blinking lights so will see. I live in mass it drop down to about 43 at night. I did see the back legs of the animal they look muscular like a tiger but I don't thing we get bobcats around here could I? Or is it a bobcat that is lost? Thanks

 

[dmack]

You should be alright not to have a heat lamp as long as it isn't get below that. Just a dim solar light for them to see and feel safe would suffice. I believe you do have a bob cat are lynx over that way but you'll have to ask around or look that up as I live in Wyoming.

 

[Jess B]

I have a chain link fenced in dog area with a small dog house inside, the fence has plywood 2 ft high wraped around the bottom. There is also a plalets in the inside for a.floor. I am new to this, is this.a good.start for a chicken coop?

 

[Jess B]

I am also trying to think of a way to cover the top of this kennel area to.keep.the hawks out. I am planing to start out with just 3 or four chickens for the eggs. Do you have any suggestions for what kind of chicken breed I should consider. I am very new to this and trying to mimize rookie mistakes.

 

[dmack]

Where do you live? Dose your winters get cold? Rhode Island reds are cold hardy and great layers. Brahmas are the same. And also black australops are cold hardy and great layers. Coop to begin with seems ok. If its not real big you may have to move it every couple of days.