Can't get pullets in the coop - should I not even be giving them free range time?

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

I'm going absolutely batty trying to corral my 5 ten week olds after some time outside of the coop. This morning I went out to check on them because we had a particularly hot night last night. Went inside the walk in part of our run. With pets inside the house too I always do that "foot blocking the door" thing to make sure no one escapes. Sure enough, one jumped right out. I thought eh, might as well let them have a little time on the grass. Thirty minutes go by and I try to round them up. Meal worms first, no one cares. Grabbed a piece of watermelon, make sure they all saw it, all followed me, got 3/5 in the coop. Finally coaxed the 4th, opening the door for the 5th and one of them jumped out. If I try to round them up they just run in random directions. If I try to run after them (which I REALLY try not to do but definitely did for a moment out of desperation today and feel really guilty about) they obviously outrun me and just do circles around the coop. I've heard it gets easier to round them up with time but I think they just prefer outside time to any treats I can offer.

 

[ILoveBabySilkies]

What time was it? How long have they been in there? Generally if chickens have been in the coop for a good amount of time say a week, they see the coop as their sleeping space and should go in by themselves. But if it was still light out they are going to want to come out because they are not nocturnal and want to forage. They should go into the coop by themselves once the sun goes down(I’m guessing they’ve been in their for a bit). If you’d like if you did do this during daylight you could let them free range and wait till it gets dark and watch if they go in by themselves, if not you’ll have to get them because who knows what’s watching them.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

What time was it? How long have they been in there? Generally if chickens have been in the coop for a good amount of time say a week, they see the coop as their sleeping space and should go in by themselves. But if it was still light out they are going to want to come out because they are not nocturnal and want to forage. They should go into the coop by themselves once the sun goes down(I’m guessing they’ve been in their for a bit). If you’d like if you did do this during daylight you could let them free range and wait till it gets dark and watch if they go in by themselves, if not you’ll have to get them because who knows what’s watching them.

It's 8 am. Since they moved out to their coop I've been giving supervised free range time a couple of times a day - wondering if I should limit this to just one trip out? I'd love to let them fully free range, but we have a few toxic bushes (rhododendrons, cherry laurel, etc.) that I want to watch them with, plus hawks and some other wild animals in the area.

 

[TheRealWitwiki]

Let them out about a half hour before dark and they will naturally go in. Each time extend it maybe 15 to 30 minutes until they get used to it. I only let my flock out for about an hour before dark because they will wonder up to the neighbors property during the bright daylight hours and eat his plants. Chickens can’t see very well in the dark so if you have a light on a timer in the coop they will go right in and then you can shut the door and have the light go off maybe 20 min or so after that.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Let them out about a half hour before dark and they will naturally go in. Each time extend it maybe 15 to 30 minutes until they get used to it. I only let my flock out for about an hour before dark because they will wonder up to the neighbors property during the bright daylight hours and eat his plants. Chickens can’t see very well in the dark so if you have a light on a timer in the coop they will go right in and then you can shut the door and have the light go off maybe 20 min or so after that.

Excellent, I'll have to do that! My run is big enough for the number of chickens I have (and four are bantams so it's plenty big) but I still feel like they're really bored in it. I throw in grass and treats sometimes, but when I walk by to check on them or water they yell like they're losing their minds in there. Probably because they just love free ranging but I feel bad.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I agree with limiting the time to shortly before dusk.

They will catch on pretty quick.

Given time and extreme consistency they can learn to come to a "treat" bucket/scoop/can. I recommend training them to a certain color and scoop so if you need to rush them in due to a predator they come willingly and fast.

I use a bright yellow feed scoop. Unfortunately mine have often needed to get back into that safe run less than an hour after getting out. We have hawks...lots of hawks. That scoop gets them all moving fast.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

I agree with limiting the time to shortly before dusk.

They will catch on pretty quick.

Given time and extreme consistency they can learn to come to a "treat" bucket/scoop/can. I recommend training them to a certain color and scoop so if you need to rush them in due to a predator they come willingly and fast.

I use a bright yellow feed scoop. Unfortunately mine have often needed to get back into that safe run less than an hour after getting out. We have hawks...lots of hawks. That scoop gets them all moving fast.

What snacks do you use? Were yours pickier as pullets? It seems like only 2 out of the 5 are really food motivated for meal worms, oats, watermelons, you name it. The rest are take it or leave it even when held close to them.

 

[21hens-incharge]

What snacks do you use? Were yours pickier as pullets? It seems like only 2 out of the 5 are really food motivated for meal worms, oats, watermelons, you name it. The rest are take it or leave it even when held close to them.

Honestly they straighten out a LOT once they start laying.
I use regular old scratch. They prefer BOSS but I don't usually have any.

 

[corriemartin]

Excellent, I'll have to do that! My run is big enough for the number of chickens I have (and four are bantams so it's plenty big) but I still feel like they're really bored in it. I throw in grass and treats sometimes, but when I walk by to check on them or water they yell like they're losing their minds in there. Probably because they just love free ranging but I feel bad.

I totally understand the human-guilt. I think I made a bad mistake with mine, letting them free-range essentially all day long, but after a couple of problems with predators, I know I really really can't do that, but I feel so mean locking them up. They had a pretty lovely life outside......

 

[gracenut123]

I totally understand the human-guilt. I think I made a bad mistake with mine, letting them free-range essentially all day long, but after a couple of problems with predators, I know I really really can't do that, but I feel so mean locking them up. They had a pretty lovely life outside......

Ah I am experiencing this regret right now as well. With quarantine and being home much more we were letting them free range all day. Now trying to confine them to a run and they are driving us nuts yelling to be let out about once an hour.