Chickens won't go inside, should I just leave them out?

Question

I have three new chickens (well, poults really) and we've built them a lovely big coop and a little inside bit with perches and sawdust, but they won't go in. They just stay outside all the time. While it was warm I left them to it, but they still stay out in the rain and storms. Should I put them inside for the night just so they know its safe, or just leave them to it?

We've had them for about a week, there is shelter and perches outside too so they are quite safe out there. They've all gone in to have a look but don't stay there long.

Thanks.

Answer 1

we too have chicks & we just shush them in to where we want them to go.they will soon get used to going in them selves.we shut them in at night for their safety,from foxes etc

Answer 2

Chickens need to be shut away before night otherwise foxes will get them.

Answer 3

I WOULD LOCK THEM IN THERE AT NIGHT SO THAT THEY KNOW WHERE TO GO TO BED.

Answer 4

its probably not safe to leave them out all the time, especially because of cats and foxes etc. best to put them inside.. maybe they dont realise they can get inside? or there is something in there we built our dogs a dog house and they dog would never go in we wondered why turned out there was a family of hedgehogs living in there lol

Answer 5

when you go to feed them . throw food in side. that will get them in there, then they will realize its cool.  

Answer 6

Did you leave them in the coop for a few hours when they first arrived? This allows them to recognise the coop as their safety zone and will be used to roost and lay in there.

You should put them away and secure the coop each evening to protect your chickens from predators.

Personally, I'd lock them in their for a good few hours during the day for one day only. Leaving them locked up without light for longer and especially in this heat is cruel and will put the hens under stress. They should then begin to take themselves off to bed when it begins to go dark.

Make sure the perches are around 60cm above the ground too. If the perches are too low they're unlikely to roost on them.

Answer 7

If the chickens have'nt got a mother then you must show them what to do but make a regular check in the coop to make sure that there are no other  occupants such as wild rabbits,cats,dogs, and rats.  It could be that they sense some danger inside.  But it might also help to hang a lamp where it's safe.

Answer 8

Put them in at night and shut them away. eventually they will get the idea and go in themselves. ideally they should be put into the house and left in there for 24 hours with food and water providing there is enough ventilation and the weather is not too hot.  that way they go back in at night. i have done this with all my hens.

if you leave them out a fox or other predator will get them.

Answer 9

For about 1-2 weeks you WILL need to put them away your self as they haven't learnt that the house is their bedroom! Normally every chicken owner has to do this,other wise they wouldn't go away. After a short while they will learn to go to bed when it starts to get dark. Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Build a fence then you can leave them

Answer 11

pop them in the oven - bitta butter et voila

Answer 12

My chickens have a garden to stay in which has grass etc and when I want them to go into their run I just throw in some broccolli or a treat that they like into the run and they cant wait to get in to get their treats. They then stay in the run for a while until it gets a bit dark and then they go up their ramp into their little home and get on their perches.x  

Answer 13

You see, i would always keep a hen inside her run for at least a week until she knew where home was. Then, when I let the out I would do that later in the day for a few days so they got the hang of going indoors as it came on dusk. In fact, if you have a small run attached to the pen, you might like to leave them in until lunchtime as that way you won't have to go hunting for eggs all over the field.

BUT, I would never leave my hens out at night, because that is when predators are about and whether it is foxes or bob-cats, you are asking for trouble.