Why won't they go to bed?

[Kingsley11743]

Our first flock met an untimely demise due to a clever raccoon. We are now on our second flock and are noticing an unusual and annoying problem. Unlike my previous flock who all went back in their coop at night to sleep (all we did was make sure they were all in & then secured the door), THESE CHICKENS WILL NOT GO IN THE COOP AT NIGHT! It's driving us crazy. We have 15 and while some do go in there are at least 5-7 each night who literally go to sleep next to the coop, in front of the coop, under the coop....then it's a game of round-up-the-chickens-in-the-dark! I don't know how many of you have played the round-up-the-chickens-in-the-dark game but it is not very fun and it sure does get old night after night. We have tried showing them the way up, thinking we could train them in some way, but that's not working. I've locked them in for a few days after, hoping they get the sense that it's their home, but I think they know, as they're usually sleeping around it...just not in it. They are about 10 weeks old now & I don't know if I started letting them out too young, or what. This was never a problem before... Thanks.

 

[Bridebeliever]

I would try putting some uncomfortable things around where they lay for now, big rocks, buckets, misc things they can't lay on. And at 10 weeks they're still pretty young. Try putting them all away just before dark, lure them in with their favorite yummy treats!

 

[Den in Penn]

Just keep putting them in till they get the message. Often it will get dark in the coop before it gets dark outside. You could try putting a light in the coop to lure them in.

 

[phryan]

I had a similar issue when I started. I put a light in my coop that stays on for an hour after sunset, so its light inside until its total dark outside.

It could also be they are young and don't get the process yet. My coop has an automatic door and the adults know the rules, occasionally I'll find some juveniles stuck outside.