When do the chickens typically come home to roost?

[BeakCosby]

I let the chickens out for the first time today after keeping them for a week in the outside coop, and I expected them to be back in the coop around sunset. I went out about 10 minutes ago (sunset is in half an hour) and maybe half of them were in the coop, and the other half were still derping around the yard.

Some prodding and all but 3 of them returned to the roost, which of course I had to run down. About what time relative to sunset do these guys usually come back into the box?

 

[Michael OShay]

Over the years, most of mine have returned to roost about 15-30 minutes before sunset, but there are always those anomalies.

 

[Mrs. K]

it varies with mine, and often they will return to the run in the late afternoon, just closer to the coop. If I want to round them up, use an long stick and tap the ground with it, I say, "Hut, Hut, hut" but truthfully don't think it is the voice command, but rather the stick, and most will go right in.

If it is windy, they seem to come in later, and if it is hot they come in earlier, I think they need a drink and then just kind of sit around.

Mrs K

 

[BeakCosby]

it varies with mine, and often they will return to the run in the late afternoon, just closer to the coop. If I want to round them up, use an long stick and tap the ground with it, I say, "Hut, Hut, hut" but truthfully don't think it is the voice command, but rather the stick, and most will go right in.

If it is windy, they seem to come in later, and if it is hot they come in earlier, I think they need a drink and then just kind of sit around.

Mrs K

That's probably closest to what happened to me - the chickens weren't *in* the coop but rather just sort of around it like "good enough".

I ended up grabbing one of those 4 ft tomato sticks and used that to herd them up the ramp.

And I have found the smallest chicken is always stupidly fast running despite being too lazy to fly. That thing is a blur.

 

[heybarb]

Mine seem to be late - every night. The sun will have set behind the trees and it's getting dark and mine are still strolling around scratching and pecking. I've found if it's too late, the rooster will call them to bed which is pretty funny to hear.

I've "trained" ours to come, by carrying a plastic cup (which usually has food in it) and calling "Here chickie, chickie" and they ALL come running. I sprinkle the scraps from the cup in the outside coop, then just close the door when everyone is home for the night.

 

[6of6chicks]

It took a couple of days for mine to realize they were supposed to go in the coop at dark (I have a closed run). I had to pick them all up and shove them through the coop door. Every time I opened the door to put another one in, the ones inside were shoving and pushing to try to get back out! After a few days they got the message and started putting themselves to bed.

Last night I heard them all yelling just after sunset, so I went out to investigate. Everyone was already in the coop and up on the perches, so I thought, "Hey! Good job!" and closed the coop door. As soon as I did, the yelling stopped. Then I realized that THEY had done their part and were hollering for ME to get my butt out there and do MY job! Not sure who's training who, but I have a sneaking suspicion they're winning!