Won’t Go in Coop at Night

[ashcons]

Chickens do have lots of trouble adapting to changes

You have that right. Piece of paper blew into the yard? Time to panic because it might kill us!

We went out at dusk, but with plenty of light, the first 3 nights that our new flock was in their run and wrangled them all into the coop to close them up. After that, they put themselves up. It helped that I left their food in the coop to motivate them to explore during the day and get comfortable moving in from the run.

Glad they figured it out quickly because I needed to grow a few more hands to keep chicks in the coop at a better rate than they'd leave as DW and DS were passing them in to me.

I'll let them figure out the roost later.

 

[Wolf River]

Nice.

I had the same issues - still have them to some extent. Last night was the first night I didn't have to put any in myself after almost 2 weeks. We'll see how that lasts!

There are many good suggestions on this thread - I think the most important is keeping them in the coop for a couple of days so they know where home is. Chickens have very poor eyesight in the dark, so a nightlight can help. My coop has translucent ceiling panels (It's what I could get at the time) and an overhead light from the barn that gives them some light.

I can't tell from the pic (my glasses are dirty and I can't find the cloth) - If you haven't done it already, one suggestion I have for your roost is to wrap it in 1/4" sisal rope so their claws have something "softer" to clamp onto. When I did that, the roost usage popped 50% the next day. Maybe coincidence, but others swear by it. Cost me about $30 to do both roosts.

 

[Wolf River]

I have found a good thunderstorm will send them home! Now if mother nature would cooperate every evening around 6