Worried about animals eating my chickens.

[HGM]

So I absolutely love my chickens and I want them to be able to go out of their coop now that they are older and have seen the sights, but I’m super worried I won’t be able to get them back in their coop for the night. I can’t even catch them in a small contained area let alone out loose. I have 2 barred rock and 2 white leghorns. The BR are easier to catch, it takes a little time but I can get them, but not the WLH. Is there a way to allow them to go out in the day but get them in at night so they aren’t bothered by bears, foxes, skunks, raccoons, and everything else around our house?

 

[Doc7]

They ought to return to the coop on their own at night. How long have they been in the coop? Are they years old, months old, weeks old?

 

[Silkie2]

Chickens will naturally return to the coop at night. they know thats where they get food and water and where they roost for the night. how old are they? if they are adults and have lived in the coop for awhile and know thats where they live, they should be fine

 

[Folly's place]

For added security, install electric fencing, or electric poultry netting, so ground predators won't get them during their outside time.
Mary

 

[HGM]

They are 16 weeks old and have been in their for about 3 months.

 

[Silkie2]

They are 16 weeks old and have been in their for about 3 months.

they should be fine to free range. they should start heading into the coop around evening, sunset hours.

 

[Folly's place]

Mine are all out there almost every day, from about six weeks and older. They go in, in waves, at dusk. Right now that's after 9pm! I don't feed outside, so there's nothing scattered around to attract predators at night. That helps, and having a very secure coop.
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

You can also try treat training them so they'll come to you when asked. Much easier for both human and chicken than chasing down and grabbing.