Chicken won't leave the coop

[tsiecz]

Hello everyone!
Im new to the forum and to raising chickens. Just got the coop finished. The problem I'm having is the chicken dont want to leave the coop.
They are a new flock of six (20-24 weeks old,they were free range birds(2Barred Rock,2 amercuna and 2 rhode island reds)and have been together their whole life.
I just got them 5 days ago. The coop (size is 8' x 4') and has a door on the floor. Is this the problem??? I did have them out yesterday but had to catch each one and push them out the door. They had no problem coming back to roost last night. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[10 point]

I would just keep pushing them in and out until they finally figure it out themselves. thats what I did and it worked after a couple of days.

 

[stoopid]

X2. They aren't used to the routine, it will be a short while to get used to the change.
And welcome! You'll find a wealth of information here!

 

[teach1rusl]

She'll come out eventually. Change is hard for chickens. And the others will learn to go back inside on their own eventually too. A small light on just a bit before dark (even a flashlight inside there) may help lure them back inside on their own.

 

[mamm7215]

Ok so I'm not the only one with this problem! I love this site! My girls are about 9 weeks with one 5 week old. Same deal, open the coop door to the run and they hide is the back of the coop. I gently herd them out the door and close it. Then I've been putting food, treats and water in the far end of the run. I leave them there for a couple hours and spend quite a bit of time just sitting by the food. Finally the biggest hen got brave enough today to come over and eat, the rest followed immediately but once they ate their fill they all ran back to the closed door! LOL. It is only day 2 of this.... I'll post in a week and hopefully I've made progress!