Why wont my chickens eturn to their coop.

[rose24]

Hello everyone, I just brought home 17 week old pullets, my problem is they will not go back into their coop at night any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you Rose

 

[MountainWoman73]

They don't think of it as 'home' yet. Try leaving them inside all day for several days. Then start letting them out only in the afternoon at first. Catch them and put them back in if you have to every night... they'll get it eventually.

 

[azygous]

Seventeen-week old pullets or seventeen one-week old pullets? Big difference. Please be more specific.

Older hens, as @MountainWoman73 says, need to be cooped up for a day or two so they get accustomed to the coop being home. If these are week-old chicks, they need to be confined to the coop and then later taught to go inside at dusk.

 

[rose24]

Thank you! I will catch them tonight and put them in their coop, and try locking them in for a couple days

 

[rose24]

They are 17 weeks old