5 tips for getting birds to a new coop in the forest?

[Doodlemom63]

I think I’ve googled so hard my eyeballs are bleeding. Anyone have tried-and-true tricks for getting chickens—just seven little mountain dwellers—to start using a brand-new coop in a perfect shaded area?

Quick backstory:

1. They’ve been living in a temporary coop while some big professional construction happened on the property.
2. The babies were literally Easter chicks this year, and the oldest of the bunch is around 16 weeks—basically goofy teenagers with feathers.
3. They’re ridiculously docile and cute, free-ranging around like fluffy little tourists who have made this property home.
4. Because of the blazing heat, they’ve decided the best spot in the world is a cozy nook under our house, where they all pile up during the hottest parts of the day. Which they dont understand the best place is in the blare-whitch forest by their new coop!
5. Did they venture down? Sure, first thing! but sleeping. Nope- they go back to the temporary coop. Have I forced the issue? no... so this is about the future where I will in fact (or may) need to force the issue).

Now, my husband and I (okay, mostly my husband, I’m the designated eyeball and encourager) just wrapping up building a stunning new coop. The only catch? It’s completely out of view from their old digs thanks to our mountain’s fun combo of elevation, thick vegetation, our home and general rugged chaos.

Every night: They march into the old temporary coop like clockwork- even after a full day of free-ranging, but this new one might as well be on Mars. I don't necessarily want to sit down there all day (nor will my health allow it!)- and the mosquitos are brutal.

My brilliant plan so far: try guiding them down there (though they only get chopped greens, no bribes like scratch—- they hate scratch, I purchased bags of it- they wont touch it!), then gently coax them in and keep them confined for a few days?

It has a small run area, but honestly... I’m kind of a chicken myself (pun absolutely intended) and love hanging out with them too much. They will be so much happier and healthier in the new coop- they just need to understand it.

I know parrots like the back of my hand—chickens, though? Total newbie here.

Question:
How many days to keep them 'locked in'?
Has this worked for others? or should I be more generous with my 'pet chickens'

Sorry for the questions, Im learning. I can run an avian clinic, but this is just a bit excess with the coop transfer.

I had this issue recently what I ended up doing was after they’ve gone to roost in they old coop was to pick them up one by one and put them in the new one and leave them in there for the next day and I gave them their favorite treat that first morning. I did this for 3 nights closed off the old one so they couldn’t get in, fourth night they went to new coop but only to the door so waiting til dark with flashlight pushed them inside it took a lot of patience lol but now they go right in and eat drink and swing on their swing before settling in. Good luck!

 

[McChooky]

I had this issue recently what I ended up doing was after they’ve gone to roost in they old coop was to pick them up one by one and put them in the new one and leave them in there for the next day and I gave them their favorite treat that first morning. I did this for 3 nights closed off the old one so they couldn’t get in, fourth night they went to new coop but only to the door so waiting til dark with flashlight pushed them inside it took a lot of patience lol but now they go right in and eat drink and swing on their swing before settling in. Good luck!

I keep a 10 watt light on in my run to encourage my chickens to go to roost before dark but only 4 of them roost in the actual coop. Free range chickens sometimes prefer to roost in trees.Carrying them to the (coop) doesn't always work unless they're locked up.

 

[Doodlemom63]

I keep a 10 watt light on in my run to encourage my chickens to go to roost before dark but only 4 of them roost in the actual coop. Free range chickens sometimes prefer to roost in trees.Carrying them to the (coop) doesn't always work unless they're locked up.

The light could possibly throw them off maybe try few night with it off see if that works…

 

[McChooky]

The light could possibly throw them off maybe try few night with it off see if that works…

I think you misunderstood.I was talking about the ops chickens maybe needing a light and locking the door at night.(Edit) Free range chickens can flee and roost in trees when threatened by predators. Locking them up would prevent a predator attack while adjusting