Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[emmalou]

I am unsure how I am going to get our chickens in each night and how long does it take?Last night took half an hour and that was with my hubbie helping to guide them into a corner. He won't always he around to do this. What would happen if I left them to make their own way in or will they stay out all night? The pen is secure. It is just getting them into their house.

[Olly]

They will usually take themselves in, once they know where to go. If it's dark then shining a torch in the nest box may encourage them in as they'll follow the light. Provided that your pen is secure, as you say, then you could just leave them to their own devices; mostly they prefer to roost in a sheltered space but I have had ones that roosted outside the coop all year round.

[emmalou]

Ok cool. I am dreading tonight as I don't want to freak them out by keep trying to round them up. I want them relaxed and happy. I cannot see them going in on their own accord tonight. Howmlong should it take?

[kopperdrake]

They know when it's dusk and will go then Sometimes you get an early bird, our banties are a bit lazy and like to get off early. Sometimes you get the odd one that knows you bring the treats and holds out til the last to make sure their crop is full when you arrive And often we've had one who insisted on roosting on *top* of the coop, but that was usually because the coop they had all decided to go into was full, and no one had the nouse to get into the empty coop

 

But really, they should just take themselves to bed - unlike ducks which sees Mrs Kopperdrake and myself doing the daily duck-dance to get them into their house on an evening