I have had my babies in their coop since they were about 4 weeks old. I have been letting them outside for 2 + weeks they will not go in the coop on their own at night. Am i jumping the gun here or are they just slow? Thanks Angie
Sometimes they need help It should only be a few days of you showing them where to go at night good luck
I had the same problem with my very first batch; what I ended up doing is giving them a yummy treat in the coop at night. I don't recommend this as a continuous way to raise them, because I want mine to associate the coop with sleeping and laying eggs; they should go outdoors to eat and drink (except winter). But, in this instance, it really did help. I began by using an old stainless steel dog dish. I ran it through the dishwasher to get it nice & clean first, then mixed up yogurt and oatmeal, and just set it out in the run. Then the next night, I moved it right outside the pophole door. After that, all I had to was ENTER THE RUN with the stainless steel dish and they'd run to the coop - I'd put it on the floor, they'd gobble it up, and while doing so, I would close the pophole door and make sure they were secure, then turn out the light last night when they were done. They really do associate the dish with a treat!
usually i put them in before dark but a few times it has been after dark & they wouldn't go in by them selves. They don,t have a problem gettin inside they just don't do it at night. They go in during the day if it rains by themselves.
Can you put in a night light? Even my adults get confused if their light goes out. Just chicken I guess!
Sounds like you're doing it right. I had the opposite problem, mine wouldn't go OUT in teh morning. I pushed/threw them out of the coop for 2 weeks straight and decided that was enough. They stayed in teh coop Monday until about 3 pm before they came out, and yesterday they were out before lunch. This morning, 8 am. Honestly, if your run is secure, I'd leave them outside.
I never had trouble with my ten 11 wk olds going in or coming out. When I go out went it gets dark, they're all cozy and lined up for the night making their soothing cooing bedtime sounds. Like what other's suggested, try a night light. One that has the photocell that comes on when it gets dark enough. Good luck.
