Is there a way to get chicks to sleep in the coop?

[MarvsMom]

Hello, we have 4 silkie/frizzle chicks who are 12 weeks old who all sleep in the same spot in the coop. They are half inside and half outside the coop they look so cute all smooshed together. I know silkies cannot jump high but we have lower roosting bars inside the coop. Any tips or tricks on how to get them to start roosting in the coop at night? They are quite comfy but I worry come winter they still won't be inside the coop.

 

[nuthatched]

The coop is dark and scary, you can add a nigh light

 

[MarvsMom]

The coop is dark and scary, you can add a nigh light

Oh that could be it. Our chicken run has a solar light so it's lit up but inside the coop isn't!

 

[Mama Lyle]

When my chicks were ready to move out of the brooder into a coop, I taught the girls to go inside the coop with treats for a week and then my husband got a solar door, we were able to programmed it to close at dark.
We have installed a solar light inside the coop that we can turn on at night.
I do have a couple girls like to hang out at the door, they do not like the dark. I have to go out and gently coax them inside the coop and close the door so they are secure for the night.
Here is a pic of the door with the girls hanging out.

 

[aart]

Oh that could be it. Our chicken run has a solar light so it's lit up but inside the coop isn't!

Do you have windows in the coop?

 

[MarvsMom]

Do you have windows in the coop?

Yes we do!

 

[Mama Lyle]

I don't have a window yet, I think that's why my chicks hang out at the door
When I turned on the light inside the coop the chicks were happy to go inside for the night.

 

[LaFleche]

How much ventilation does your coop provide? It might be too stuffy and warm inside for them to feel comfortable.

 

[Mama Lyle]

I have two vents a whirly thingy on the roof and their door stays open all day. I have a temp gauge inside the coop, it usually reads 70-82° during the day, less of there is a nice breeze (usually everyday).

 

[MarvsMom]

How much ventilation does your coop provide? It might be too stuffy and warm inside for them to feel comfortable.

We have quite a bit of ventilation. The back doors open completely and are blocked by chicken wire, so it's like a screen door for them. And the coop door is open all day!