Feeling so guilty now.

I cleaned out the coop yesterday morning and as I normally do I closed the hatch at the same time to stop the wind blowing straight through.
Went to deliver Christmas prezzies and stayed a little longer than I meant to. It was dark by the time we got home and I went to check the chickens as soon as. Three of them were huddled together at the top of the ramp next to the CLOSED hatch. One was missing.
We managed to persuade the three to go in and went searching for the other. My mind was racing and the guilt was unbearable and then we found Poppy huddled under the bushes.
We were so relieved but it could have been so different and it would have been all my fault.
As I let them out this morning I was watching out for signs of stress. Poor little things, they must have had a very stressful time trying to get into the coop.
Still feeling very guilty and would have been feeling even worse if a fox had managed to get at them. That was a cheap lesson learnt!! I will NEVER do that again.

Thanks Lewjam. I close the coop door when I'm cleaning it out only. 1. Because they tend to come in and nose around as I'm doing so. 2. Because when I clean out the nest boxes at the back on the coop it causes a through draft if the hatch is open. I usually remember to open the hatch once I've finished. Forgot yeasterday.

I have also done this to my chickens. I also felt very guilty. Had a hard job getting them in, like they were frozen to the top of the ramp.

I knew about it the next day, no eggs for breakfast.

However soon forgotten if not forgiven. 

hey I've even forgotten to let some of mine out in the morning (too many coops  ) until tea time when I went to give them their treats so don't worry they will forgive you and luckily no harm came to them 

I once locked two of mine out (accidentally), and they were out overnight.  I only realised the following morning when they greeted me at the gate as I went out to let them out!

They came to no harm

Most chickens, if given a chance, would prefer to  up a tree anyway.  Even in this weather, they aren't going to get cold, because when they snuggle down their chest feathers cover their toes

Don't worry about it  :blink:

Well I took my three older children to school one day and on the way home in the car realised I'd left their little brother behind in the playground !!!!