Any ideas on HOW to get my girls to go and STAY outside?

[joydix]

Inside they have perches,feed, shade...you have to make it a nice spot for them. A place a hen would WANT to be!

 

[birdlady11]

It sounds and looks like they don't feel safe in such an open exposed area. All it takes is for a hawk to fly overhead on its way to somewhere else and they would feel like outside is not the safest place to spend their time. I agree that putting something outside that they can both hide under and climb on top of would give them the cover they feel they need and the enrichment and bird's eye view they would enjoy.

 

[lifein1840]

I have 4 mottled Java pullets roughly 6 ish months old. They REFUSE to go and stay outside.

Give them time. Is there a reason that you are pushing for them to stay outside? Are they your only chickens? If not, maybe they are staying away from bully hens. Javas seem to mature very slowly - at least the ones I had. The mottled are so pretty!!

 

[3KillerBs]

My first thought was to put their food and water out in the run but you said that would be feeding the sparrows.

I've got an open run and have never once seen a wild bird trying to eat layer pellets from the feeder. Maybe because it's one of those traditional, hanging metal feeders inside a free-standing shelter?

 

[Timmy59]

Get about a 1/2 dozen 5-6 ft chicken snakes to hang out on the inside..

 

[Coops Dad]

I tilled a 4' x 75' strip in an area our chickens NEVER venture into because it's too exposed; I intended to plant sunflowers there. Before I had the strip tilled once, every chicken in the pasture was in it, digging, scratching, catching bugs and worms, dustbathing. There isn't going to be a sunflower patch this year but I found a way to make the chickens very happy.

Maybe year up some ground for them? They seem to be very inspired by it.

 

[dovecanyon]

First, that is a big beautiful run! My chickens would think they had hit the jackpot if they had that run.
But... your chickens will never come out into it until there is some shade. You can add all the toys you want (the chickens won't care either way, they will be happy just to scratch in the dirt) but they really want and need shade to play in. Forcing them out and locking them out is not a good idea as it is.

 

[Stillplaysindirt]

If you've followed all the suggestions about putting stuff in the run for them to hide under, jump on, and scratch in, you could also try locking them out, just for a few days. Make sure they have everything they need in the run, obviously, and then force them to acclimate. You said they do come out a bit, so it doesn't sound like they're afraid or unduly stressed out in the run, they just prefer the coop. But if you make them hang out for a couple days outside, either they'll get used to it and start forming habits out there, or you'll have time to observe their behavior and figure out if there's something that's upsetting them or that they seem to be lacking, and then you can address it. Maybe theres an animal that's scaring them back inside, or they're having trouble reaching the waterer that's outside, or something else you haven't thought of.

Also, as I recall, when I purchased my first birds as pullets I think they were also a bit reluctant to leave the coop. There was definitely an acclimation process, and I think I just lured them out with food in the morning and locked the door behind them until late afternoon until they got used to being outside. How long have you had them and/or been observing this behavior?

I wouldn't lock them out of their "safe" zone. I think that would cause them too much stress. Making it worse. Give them places to hide under right by the door. Give them shade. They'll work it out. They know what they need. I've tried to "help" my girls and have come to understand, they know what they need. Sure, give them options. I let them choose. They will anyway!!!! That way, I can preserve my illusion of being "Queen".

 

[Stillplaysindirt]

I tilled a 4' x 75' strip in an area our chickens NEVER venture into because it's too exposed; I intended to plant sunflowers there. Before I had the strip tilled once, every chicken in the pasture was in it, digging, scratching, catching bugs and worms, dustbathing. There isn't going to be a sunflower patch this year but I found a way to make the chickens very happy.

Maybe year up some ground for them? They seem to be very inspired by it.

Great advice.