Chickens won't go in coop

[Jdutton24]

Just finished the coop. Chickens are 10 weeks old. They just sit on the ground in the run and under coop. I've sat them.in the coop several times but they just look around then walk right back out. Give it time or what do I need to do?

 

[azygous]

Left on their own, in time they would figure it out. But you don't have time for their foolishness. Do you? So shut them up in the coop with food and water for an entire day to explore and play and learn that this is home.

The next day, let them out into the run, but understand that you will need to teach them to go inside when night comes. Wait until they huddle and start making their bedtime trilling noises. Then gently begin placing each one into the coop. It might help to have a treat inside to lure them in. Also it helps to have a night light so they can see, especially if it's darker in the coop than it is in the run.

After two or three nights of this, they will catch on.

Next time you have chicks, brood them in your coop and they will know it's home from the get-go.

In case you have a skittish breed and they resist being picked up and put into the coop, you will first need to tame them. You do that by teaching them to come to you using a treat and an audible cue. In no time, a day at most, they will respond to a cue to come. If you get inside the coop (unless it's one of those make-believe prefab coops not made for humans), you can then lure them inside with the cue and the treat.

I teach all my chickens at a young age to come to a clicker. All I need to do to get the entire flock inside at the end of the day is to use the clicker. No matter how far away, all the chickens come running and are inside the run in about fifteen seconds. I reinforce the training each time I use the clicker by giving a treat.

 

[Jdutton24]

Good news. They are all in there tonight. I tried putting them in there last night seemed indifferent. Went out there this evening they are all in. But they are just in the door not on any roosts. But I'll take it! I made some clicking noises and gave them some treats. Threw treats in the coop but they were already in.

 

[pibb]

Ha. Keep a watch them for a few days.

 

[azygous]

Chicks learn to go into the coop on their own much quicker when there aren't any adult chickens to "make things interesting". Wait until you have your next batch of chicks after these are grown.

You might give some thought into making a second pop hole to be ready for when a grown chicken stands inside to pick off the chicks as they try to go in. I discovered how quickly I could cut a second door into my coop to foil a "hall monitor".