Bedtime

[Ajoy1955]

So finally my flock is getting along, with the new girls, just a few chasing away from feeders but nothing concerning, I want to eventually move the new girls from the grow out coop to the larger coop to roost at night, they are starting to show an interest in the big coop at night, but won’t stay in and always returns to the grow out coop… my question is this, will they eventually go to the big coop, on their own or will I need to move them at night?

 

[rosemarythyme]

You could try the following: lock up/remove the grow out coop so they have no option of using it any more, and they may follow the other birds since there's no other option. Any that don't follow the other birds can be moved in manually at night until they get the hint.

 

[AidKD]

Can you shut the doors on the grow out coop so they can't get in? I would do that then move a few into the big coop and wait for the others to follow suit. Once they realize they can't get into the grow out coop they'll probably go for the big coop.

 

[aart]

my question is this, will they eventually go to the big coop, on their own or will I need to move them at night?

They might, using the tips above.
Or you might have to put them in the big coop, but be down there at first light so they aren't trapped in hostile territory.

Is there a separate and lower roost for the youngsters?

 

[Ajoy1955]

They might, using the tips above.
Or you might have to put them in the big coop, but be down there at first light so they aren't trapped in hostile territory.

Is there a separate and lower roost for the youngsters?

Yes I actually made another roost across from the adults, on the opposite wall of the coop

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

came here wondering about this too. the babies are soon to be with the adults but have never been inside the coop yet. hopefully they figure out where to go? I've been taking them out to the shed to sleep at night.

 

[Tonyroo]

came here wondering about this too. the babies are soon to be with the adults but have never been inside the coop yet. hopefully they figure out where to go? I've been taking them out to the shed to sleep at night.

Don't assume they will know where to go. Cause you might have chickens sleeping outside. You have to guide them to know where to go. Having adults chickens help a little cause will show all the new birds also.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Don't assume they will know where to go. Cause you might have chickens sleeping outside. You have to guide them to know where to go. Having adults chickens help a little cause will show all the new birds also.

x2. What I do is once the chicks are safely interacting with adults outside for a couple weeks and it's time for them to move into the coop at night, I: 1) lock up access to the chick brooder and 2) cage the chicks inside the coop at night.

After a few nights they should just head into the coop on the own at dusk, and if all goes well, follow the adults onto the roosts.

 

[Ajoy1955]

Can you shut the doors on the grow out coop so they can't get in? I would do that then move a few into the big coop and wait for the others to follow suit. Once they realize they can't get into the grow out coop they'll probably go for the big coop.

Yes I certainly can!

x2. What I do is once the chicks are safely interacting with adults outside for a couple weeks and it's time for them to move into the coop at night, I: 1) lock up access to the chick brooder and 2) cage the chicks inside the coop at night.
View attachment 3628209
After a few nights they should just head into the coop on the own at dusk, and if all goes well, follow the adults onto the roosts.
View attachment 3628208

thank you

 

[Ajoy1955]

You could try the following: lock up/remove the grow out coop so they have no option of using it any more, and they may follow the other birds since there's no other option. Any that don't follow the other birds can be moved in manually at night until they get the hint.

Well tonight my feisty little Brown Leghorn went to roost in the big girl coop, she even jumped up on the same roost bar that they are on, even though I installed another one on the opposite wall! Oh well I guess they will work it out! I plan on being at the coop at daybreak before the auto door opens, and manually open it so she has an escape in case they get upset with her being by their side