chickens won't go in their run

[Burkeeks]

I have a chicken coop that has a tunnel that connects to their chicken run. My chickens are pretty much at the end of their molt season but some still are molting. I noticed a mouse that ran through their chicken run about a few weeks ago. There was a blue plastic kiddie pool i used for the summer to cool them down but now that it's winter time, i removed it also to ensure the mouse was not burying underneath the plastic pool. We caught the mouse and it's no longer an issue but my chickens ever since I removed the blue pool, they don't want to go in their chicken run. I added some fresh sand and DE in their run and sprayed it down with natural mice deterrent.

Has anyone's chickens done this before? My chickens spend their day in their coop if i don't let them out to free range, Any advice is appreciated on how to get them back out in their run!

 

[DobieLover]

They don't like change. They will eventually get used to the new 'look' of the run and venture out.

Whenever I so much as add a bag of shavings to the coop, my chickens balk at it. The rooster and head hen would always be the first in to scratch around and that would get everyone else to come in. How old is your flock?

 

[Mrs. K]

Carry them to the run, and let them find their way back to the coop. I would expect it to take one time, but it might need to take twice.

Mrs K

 

[Debbie292d]

They don't like change. They will eventually get used to the new 'look' of the run and venture out.

Whenever I so much as add a bag of shavings to the coop, my chickens balk at it. The rooster and head hen would always be the first in to scratch around and that would get everyone else to come in. How old is your flock?

This is sort of like our first snow. Many have seen it before, some haven't, but ALL of them act like it's lava and won't put a toe in it. Two days later, they're frolicking in it.

 

[Artchickenlover21]

We just recently moved our chickens into their new chicken coop (which is attached to the run they are used to) and they also refused to go out into their run, even though nothing in it really changed. I hung around out there digging up some dirt and that seemed to encourage them to come outside. Now they frolic out there every day.

Change is always intimidating for chickens (I can relate to them, lol), but you have 2 good options:
1. Let them get used to it on their own. They might eventually get bored and venture back into their run.
2. Gently push them to go in, whether by herding them in (without chasing or traumatizing them) or coaxing them out with treats.

Either way, they will go in eventually. It takes time and patience.