Will they go into the coop earlier during the winter?

[PowellAnimals]

Hello everyone! First time chicken/duck owner here. Currently our flock free ranges during the day and when I go outside around 7-8pm, they wander into the coop pretty easily. If you try to get them in before then, however, it takes a lot of time. As the sun starts to set earlier and earlier, and especially once the time is set back, will they go in earlier and earlier? I cannot imagine trying to herd them in the dark and cold. Do I need to start slowly moving them in earlier or will they automatically adjust based on the sun?

Thanks!

 

[MeepBeep]

They return to the coop as the sun sets in the sky, not at a specific time... As the seasons change they will adjust to the current sunset time...

 

[PowellAnimals]

Perfect, that is what I assumed. Obviously I know they can't tell time but wasn't sure things such as how long they have been out, when the dogs are let outside every evening, and others had a large affect or whether they will very quickly pick up on the sun setting. Thank you!

 

[BBStacker]

I'm also a first timer and was nervous about free ranging. My chickens go in automatically when they feel like it. The one day I got them in early (leaving for a 24 hr vacation), they resisted. I threw bread in there and 4 of 5 went in and I closed the door. My alpha refused to go in or even eat his favorite treat (bread) and I ended up chasing him around the yard before I finally herded him into another opening. I found when I accidentally forgot to close the door on different nights, they survived the night and day.

I'd say (pending predator activity) as long as you look in on them before you go to bed, they'll be fine.