Chickens not going in coop part of chicken run!

[rebeccanew]

Hello! I am new to the message boards, although I've looked a lot in this process of getting my first flock.

My husband and I have 6 hens: 3 white leghorns and 3 Ameraucanas. We bought them at a month old in June, so I guess they are about 3 months old now; we kept them in a large metal tub in our house until last weekend when my husband finished the coop. The coop has a fenced run that goes under and past the coop, and he built a nice ramp leading upstairs to the coop. The problem is, those silly chickens will not go in the coop for any reason, and we are baffled!

We live in Texas, so the weather has been consistently 100 degrees since they've been out there. Could that have something to do with it? Do I need to get them in the habit of going in the coop for the night now, or is it not a big deal?

Also, when do I start looking for eggs?

Thanks for the tips -- I'm obviously new at this!

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

Start looking for eggs at 20 Weeks old. You have a ways to go before you see eggs.

Did you put them in the Coop for several days before letting them into the run. Put them into the coop and lock them in each evening. I would only let them out during the day for the first week if it is to hot in the coop. But put them into the coop each night. Hopefully it will only take 3-5 days for them to learn what you want them to do.

Coax them in with scratch, put their food and water in the coop so they have to go in to eat and drink. Or waite untill almost dusk to pick them up and put them in.

My hens have their food and drink in the coop, they are in and out between the coop and the run all the time.

Your girls need to get used to their coop before they start laying. They will also settle better once they start laying.

 

[nazu]

I'm fairly new too..got my 3 birds in April, and they didn't know to get into the coop at first, let alone get onto their roost. I would place them on their roost for a few days and before long, they knew to retire into their house as darkness arrives, at which point I lock them in until morning. Even though you have an enclosed run, I would still encourage them to go inside their house at night, to avoid coming into contact with any predators that may want them for their supper. Just make sure you have ventilation. I live in Connecticut, where the nights cool down a bit, but this summer has been very hot and humid, so I've been leaving a window of their house open at night, too.

From what I know, 5-6 months is average for hens to start laying. One of White Wyandottes laid her first egg at 23 weeks. One of them at 25 weeks, which was a few days ago. The third is taking her sweet time.

 

[sunflowerenvy]

X2
yes put them in the coop for couple of days . half hour before dusk they will start to go in if not put them in there thur the coop door. when u open the coop door in am let them go out on there own. it only took three days to do this. .