What Time Do Chickens Go To Bed? [Will They Go On Their Own?]

When keeping chickens, you’ll want to be aware of their sleeping tendencies and preferences. Not only will this help you with your own daily schedule and routine, but it will also ensure you align with the needs of your birds – keeping them happy, healthy, and safe. But what time do chickens start to settle down? How do they prepare to sleep and what do they need to do so? I spent some time researching to find out!  

So, what time do chickens go to bed? Chickens generally take themselves to bed when it gets dark, which will differ by the season. Once in the coop, these birds will perch on the roost and cluck away for a little while before they settle down to sleep. They’ll rise again at dawn when the sun comes up.

Chickens are at their most active during daylight hours.

These poultry birds wake at dawn, and that’s when the fun begins!

Many chickens alternate between eating breakfast and laying eggs; it’s a busy time of the day for many chicken keepers.

The happiest chickens are those left to wander freely on pasture; there, they forage for food that includes slugs, bugs, worms, and anything else they can find.

These birds are certainly not fussy; as any keeper with bushes or vegetation knows all too well!

After a busy day of eating, laying eggs (during the first 6 hours after sunrise), grazing, roaming, and socializing, it’s bedtime.

Let us now take a closer look at the sleeping arrangements of chickens, and all of those interesting quirks, traits, and aspects involved!

Do Chickens Go To Sleep Early?

Some flocks of chickens will sleep early, but much depends on the season. Many chickens will retire to the coop as the sun goes down after a busy day.

Interestingly, however, some birds (of the same flock) will not live on the same schedule. For instance, older hens generally prefer to settle down earlier than their younger counterparts.

But either way, chickens instinctively know when to go to bed, and there is little that the keeper needs to do!

In fact, once your flock knows where home is, they’ll begin to retire to the coop on their own accord come dusk.

Thankfully, chickens know that they need to go inside before it gets dark; to keep themselves concealed and safe.

They are aware of their own limitations.

The dark renders chickens blind and powerless against many different and potentially dangerous predators.

This is precisely why having a secure coop is so essential. Even the smallest gaps, wholes, and weaknesses can present an opportunity to a hungry fox, rodent, or badger.

But there is also another motif – to get to their favorite spot on the roost.

And that specific spot is of utmost importance.

Every flock has its pecking order, so if any bird were to make a move on a place that was not formally there’s, then they will soon be put in their place!

The chicken right at the top of the pecking order usually sleeps in the middle, with both eyes closed.

On the other hand, the chickens on the edges keep one eye open to look out for trouble.

In fact, chickens have an amazing ability to be asleep and awake simultaneously!

The left eye connects to their brains’ right side, while the left side of their brains controls the right eye. This enables them to sleep with one eye closed and be alert with one eye open.

Incredible, and highly protective!

These birds have all kinds of vocalizations as they settle down, and you may even you’re your birds snoring.

These are perhaps some of the most obvious cues that your birds are preparing to sleep.

And when they do so, they do deeply.

Some researchers even believe that they dream in their sleep. This is because they undergo rapid eye movement, otherwise known as REM sleep (which has been associated with dreaming).

Like most living animals, sleeping is incredibly important for these birds!

Why Do Chickens Go In At Night?

Chickens instinctively know that they should go into the coop at night – it helps keep them safe, secure, and comfortable.

But there are several different reasons why they want to be inside specifically during the darkness of night.

First and foremost, these birds need to get to their roost before it is too dark for them to see. While chickens do not have a bad vision; they are essentially blind during the night.

Equally, different coop designs can come with different complications and can be hard for a bird to navigate in the dark.

For instance, some coops have ramps beneath raised floors. As the hens enter the coop, they can get stuck, and in the dark, are completely unable to see where they need to go.

Secondly, a well-designed coop keeps chickens safe from predators. A chicken wandering around in the dark, unable to see, is easy prey for many wild animals.

Lastly, chickens have a circadian rhythm and body clock that they live by. They know that during the night they should rest. So, as it begins to get dark, they know it’s time to go home.

Once their mind is made up to return to the coop, they will do it each day like clockwork – that habit will be virtually impossible to break.

Do Chickens Go To Bed By Themselves?

Chickens typically go to bed on their own and in their own time, regardless if whether you are in a rush to put them down to bed early.

These birds go by their own internal clocks, which rely on light.

Many chickens will return to the coop by themselves at dusk, and they will not typically wander too far from it during the day.

The coop is usually kept at a visible distance, regardless of how much land you have for your chickens to roam.

As keepers, we can encourage our birds to return home. It will be much easier to do so if the coop is comfortable and has everything they need; such as roosts at the right heights.

An automated door opener and closer can make life a lot easier for the chicken keeper. Flocks can literally enter the coop every night on their own accord.

It comes as no surprise to see so many positive reviews of them on Amazon. Especially as they are so easy to install and even come with a timer and light sensor.

If you do have some stragglers, you will need to find out what is preventing them from going inside the coop. They could be injured for example and physically incapable of reaching the roost.

Perhaps they don’t get along with the other birds or may even be bullied.

As a keeper, it is your responsibility to ensure harmony among your flock.

Some birds will require some extra care and attention and you will need to take the appropriate steps to help them in any way you can.

You will notice that it requires less coaxing in the winter to get them to go inside the coop, not only because of the bad