Will I be chasing the chickens back in??

[Chirpy]

Ma - most days mine go in just before sundown. It's still light out but the sun is behind the mountains. I've never had them actually wait until it was dark to go in.

 

[Ma]

Thanks Chirpy......

You are so right about them being so very happy when they are out! I love to watch them, it's a toss-up who is actually having the better time, them or me!

Here on our farm in Iowa there are so many predators, most threatening are all the Red-Tailed Hawks, aptly named "chicken hawks". So we are very cautious with our little flock of 8 hens, 1 roo.

Thanks again, I will try and wait them out one of these evenings. But as you mentioned a good back up plan is...."treat..treats!"

 

[ridgefire]

I've read on here that most chickens return to the coop before dark. So that they can see to get to their roost spot

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

Ours seem to find there way just before it gets dark. Or if the weather seems to change, like yesterday they were mostly in by 4ish cuz that's when the rain became more than just a sprinkle.
They do seem pretty smart on knowing when to come home..
I did have one...."Retarded Reba" who was no where to be found the other day. She wasn't anywhere in the coop or around it. I thought for sure she was gone (specially with the fox in the pasture). Well wouldn't you know the next morning I went out to the barn and there she was in with the sheep just as happy as could be clucking away picking at the sheep pellets.

Then yesterday during the day before the rain another hen was not with the rest. I figured she was in the barn so when in there to check. And there she was in one of the lambing jugs (which are empty of babies now). She was just happy as could be talking to herself picking up little pieces of hay and wool and sheep pellets making her own little nest right in the corner. I think I watched her for about 15 minutes before she ever looked up and seen me sitting there.

 

[talos321]

Pocketful of scratch thrown into their pen at night does wonders for making them run for the door.

 

[chcknrs]

Mine usually go in about dusk, no problem. They know it is safe in their house at night.

 

[momma's chickens]

My chickies always find their way home after they know where home is. When I put a new batch in the coop before letting them free range I make to sure to keep them in the run for awhile that way they learn where home really is.