Chickens will not leave coop

[dirtsailor66]

I have 10 silver laced Wyandottes, and it's been snowy pretty much since they were big enough to be put in the coop (about 3-4 weekes ago.) I haven't pushed them that much, but this next week is about 10 above freezing and I want them to explore their run and not get used to being stuck in the coop all day. I've cleared out the snow and put big pieces of junk plywood over the still cold ground for them to step on, and I took all food and water out of the coop and put it in the run. I even threw a few outside to hopefully entice the rest out but they only pecked a little before getting back inside.

Is it a futile effort? They do fine in the cold, they've lasted several single digit nights so far, but they just will NOT go outside of the coop.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

It's normal. I've got 7 year old birds that still whine and complain when the snow comes through.

They'll come out eventually, but they might hate you for making them for a little while