Woohoo! Have to share

[CWitty]

I've had my girls for about 14 weeks now... I thought I'd really messed up by not keeping them in the coop 24/7 for a few weeks as recommended when they make the move from their brooder. I have been kicking myself because it has been such a struggle chasing them down at dusk to get them in. As always, in the morning I let them out to roam all day, leaving their coop door open. As the sun went down, I put their water and food up. Normally, I begin coaxing them in which can take up to 20 minutes. But this time I waited. Finally right after the sun went down, I peeked out from my window, getting ready to go about the "herding of cats" and what do I see... all in a row, the girls were lined up on their ramp, making their way up through the coop door, and perched on their roosts. I was SO excited! Now, this is my first time raising chicks, so I'm sure this is exactly how it is supposed to go down, but I was resigned to having a 20 minute chase down every night. So this is great news! Now if I can only teach them to shut the door behind them!? What door options are out there that can shut behind them and latch?

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

How exciting!
Your chickens have learned to put themselves away at dusk!

They make automatic doors for chicken coops. I personally don't have one, but it may be a good option for you. I'm not sure how much they cost, but I know they are quite common.
Best of luck to you, sounds like you are doing wonderful with your birds!