Bed time for Barred Rocks

[Hippie-Witch]

Hi all! We have a small flock of six Barred Rocks, 3 pullet, 3 roos, who are just over 5 weeks, a Rouen duck and a Khaki Campbell duck who are 6-7 weeks. We moved them into the coop, with heat lamp at night still, over the weekend. We are still having to round them up at night and put them in the coop. When will they get the clue to go in at night on their own? I know they can get up the ramp fine, especially the first day they went in and out a lot, and just last night I thought they would go in for the night when I saw "Minnie", the runt hen who seems to be the 'flock leader' go in the coop in the late afternoon. Alas, last night at 10pm we were out in the dark wrangling chickens. Any info and/or tips would be welcomed, especially by my husband who has been crawling in the coop to roud them up every night! Here is a pic of the coop if it helps.

And a pic of the chicks, just for fun!

Thanks! Hippie

 

[Kittymomma]

Hi and

You need to keep them locked in the coop/run for a week or so (2-3 weeks with adult birds) so that they know where home is and go back on their own at night.

ETA: You should probably think about getting rid of two of the roos if not all of them. A 1/1 ratio when they get mature will be VERY hard on your hens. Also your coop/run is really small for that many birds unless you can free range them everyday. Not trying to be negative (I know, I am anyhow

) but it's easier to fix those problems early and avoid going thru the --why are my chooks pecking each other almost to death--stage.

 

[Hippie-Witch]

Thanks, Kitty, I think I misunderstood the keeping them in for a few weeks, I guess I didn't realize that meant at all times, thought it meant lock them in at night. They do get free range time every day ,and yes we have to get rid of the roos, so will end up with 3 chicks 1 duck in there by summer. We cannot have roosters under city ordinance and are going to butcher mid July. Also, the Rouen is probably going to go in the next week or so because she is hatefull to the chicks so we are going to butcher her soon, but the Khaki is going to stay as a 'pet'. We will round them up after free time today and try it the right way! And I did not take it as negative, I am here to learn this stuff!

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Good advice. We only had to lock our pullets in for a few days. After that they knew where there "home" was! Good luck!

 

[Hippie-Witch]

We rounded up everyone tonight, moved the big food and water to inside, and will leave them in except for free time for a few days. Hopefully we will not have to crawl into the run anymore LOL
Hippie