mgates67
In the Brooder
I'm sure the answer is yes, but I can't help it! My wife is allergic to antibiotics. Since store bought chickens and eggs are laced with them, we decided to get our own chickens for the eggs. We got a dozen in mid-March, setup a brooder in the basement and began the process of raising them. They've been the source of a lot of fun and entertainment.
Due to some surprise work travel, I was behind on getting the coop/run built. Finally got the coop done and moved them out into it this past Sunday. I'd heard that they should spend 3-5 days locked in there so they would imprint that this was "home." That gave me some time to finish the run, which I did on Friday. I opened the door so they could get out, and.... Nothing. We tried to shoo them out, but they would have no part of that. Okay, they've been confined to a smaller space for the last couple of months and the great outdoors is a scary place. I get that.
Yesterday morning we got them all outside, mostly against their will, and closed the door to the coop. This was in the hopes of letting them figure out that the outdoors is nothing to be afraid of. By the end of the day they were running around and enjoying being outside. So much so ,that they wouldn't go back into the coop last night. Again we had to force their hand.
This morning, I opened the coop door and once again they won't come out. They keep poking their heads out, a couple even came about half way down the ramp, but they always turn around and head back inside.
I'm guessing that this is just a learning process for them, but I'm trying to figure things out. Is this just going to take some time? Either way, what are your recommendations for making them feel comfortable and getting into the routine? Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.
Due to some surprise work travel, I was behind on getting the coop/run built. Finally got the coop done and moved them out into it this past Sunday. I'd heard that they should spend 3-5 days locked in there so they would imprint that this was "home." That gave me some time to finish the run, which I did on Friday. I opened the door so they could get out, and.... Nothing. We tried to shoo them out, but they would have no part of that. Okay, they've been confined to a smaller space for the last couple of months and the great outdoors is a scary place. I get that.
Yesterday morning we got them all outside, mostly against their will, and closed the door to the coop. This was in the hopes of letting them figure out that the outdoors is nothing to be afraid of. By the end of the day they were running around and enjoying being outside. So much so ,that they wouldn't go back into the coop last night. Again we had to force their hand.
This morning, I opened the coop door and once again they won't come out. They keep poking their heads out, a couple even came about half way down the ramp, but they always turn around and head back inside.
I'm guessing that this is just a learning process for them, but I'm trying to figure things out. Is this just going to take some time? Either way, what are your recommendations for making them feel comfortable and getting into the routine? Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.