Are my pullets uniquely stupid .. or just typical dumb clucks?

[GregM]

I have 9 twelve week old Auracanas that I put into a new coop and run 5 days ago. It took them three days just to figure out how to use the ramp/ladder to get into the coop and they have yet to realize that they are supposed to go IN the coop at night to sleep. Even though it has rained pretty heavily the past two nights, I find them each morning sleeping huddled together in a large sodden pile in a corner of the run. They don't seem to be any worse for wear, but, for cryin' out loud ... when (if ever) do these animals figure out when to come in out of the rain? Please save me the references to human children. I have enough of the two-legged variety and the learing curve with those is going to do me in. Thanks for any advice on how to teach these girls that fresh air is great, but a dry bed is better ...

 

[karen71]

With my new hens I had to put them in the coop each night for about 1-2 weeks ( if even that long memory not as good as it used to be ) then they realized that's were they were to sleep. If you just have them in the run they are not sure where to sleep .
good luck

 

[bethandjoeync]

maybe you should keep them in the coop for a few days or even a week, so they know that this is home and we sleep here. and so they understand it's safe for them to be in there. the ramp may just need some practice.

 

[Emzyyy]

Yes or leave a light on in the coop that usually draws my chickens in

 

[Davaroo]

Are my pullets uniquely stupid .. or just typical dumb clucks?

I dont even have to read your post to answer that one:

Yes.

 

[Foxhound lady]

I had to put everyone of my babies to bed this last week. (bed is a dog kennel with a door). Picked each one up and placed it in the kennel closed the door and then put another one in. I did this at dusk when the bigger chicks were roosting.

Today they went to bed on their own for the first time

 

[karen71]

Quote:
yeah!!!!!!
It's great when you go out to close up and they are all in for the 1st time

 

[gritsar]

Lock them in the coop with no access to the run even, for at least 3 days, maybe a week.
They have tiny little brains and it's necessary to train them that the coop is for sleeping in.

 

[bragabit]

Quote:
When we got our flock, we kept them locked up for 5 days. After that they just roosted themselves in the coop. Every single time.

 

[sherrydeanne]

I had to put my new chicks in the coop the first two nights. After that they went in at dusk all by themselves.