Chickens won't leave the coop!

[Isaac 0]

Agreed

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Your flock sounds lovely!

@azygous is often correct. And this time is likely no exception!

When I put mine in new situation they are very cautious for a while. And smaller groups have less adventurers to lead the way, so it takes them longer to adapt than larger groups, usually.

 

[sara1226]

Thank you everyone! They do actually seem a bit more energetic today and have come out A FEW times. I'd like to post a picture of my set up anyway in case anyone notices anything that could be terrifying to a chicken. I did roll back the tarp and secured it down more. I apologize for the ghetto-ish look it has right now.. I sadly live in a place where winters are brutal, so I do the best I can. It will look so much nicer in spring. We will probably add some fence on and expand too.
And it looks like my goat is sticking his tongue out! Hahaha

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I can tell you set up is fairly new.... no poo on your ramp.

I have the same type but am planning to switch to something that will let the poo fall through, because it builds pretty fast with almost 50 chickens.

They probably do need some more places to hide. For younger chicks I just put a cardboard box or two. Some shrubbery, even in planters maybe?

I've had tarp flapping before and even though it was startling at first when it got windy, it just became part of their norm before long.

Since you get snow, I am sure the clear roof will be beneficial and I can see you aren't afraid to use a tarp. So you probably won't have any issue coming up with shade when you need to for summer.

Do you spend any time out there?

I can't tell how your ventilation is on that. Since you live in the snow you probably already know how important it is to have good ventilation to avoid frost bite.

And the other thing I suggest is keeping some debris on the ground. Like leaves or compost. I see you have some hay. It's my understanding that bare ground won't have enough beneficial bacteria in it to keep disease down. Some people use a deep litter method to provide a little extra warmth in their coops. I live in the PNW and deep litter doesn't work for me because it's too wet all the time everything grows mold.

How do you keep your goats out of your chicken grain?

 

[Pstock44]

I can tell you set up is fairly new.... no poo on your ramp.  I have the same type but am planning to switch to something that will let the poo fall through, because it builds pretty fast with almost 50 chickens.

Thought you might like to see my relatively poo free ramp. Its just a deck board with cut branches.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Thought you might like to see my relatively poo free ramp. Its just a deck board with cut branches.

Looks good, and affordable.

I will be doing the same here shortly!

 

[V Bottom]

My hens are now over 7 months old. I have 15 hens I bought from Murray McMurray and all brown egg layers. Doing well I might add !! Plenty of eggs too.
My RUN is about 20' or so long , 7' wide and 7' tall with chicken wire for the top so nothing can get in. They have never been allowed out of the run to free range in the backyard. I don't want to loose any by flying over the fence in the neighbors yards. To keep from flying, I can only resort to clipping their Flight Feathers. I have no problem with birds of prey .....doves , pigeons, and squirrels are the only wildlife close by!!
I need some pointers about letting them out. When they are let out, I'm not sure they will find their way back to coop at night. One more thing.....will they lay eggs in the backyard and I have to go egg hunting everyday? Any info will help. My name is Ed and live by Galveston,Tx.....No snow country here!! If you want, email me at [email protected] regarding pointers. Happy Thanksgiving all

 

[V Bottom]

My hens are now over 7 months old. I have 15 hens I bought from Murray McMurray and all brown egg layers. Doing well I might add !! Plenty of eggs too.
My RUN is about 20' or so long , 7' wide and 7' tall with chicken wire for the top so nothing can get in. They have never been allowed out of the run to free range in the backyard. I don't want to loose any by flying over the fence in the neighbors yards. To keep from flying, I can only resort to clipping their Flight Feathers. I have no problem with birds of prey .....doves , pigeons, and squirrels are the only wildlife close by!!
I need some pointers about letting them out. When they are let out, I'm not sure they will find their way back to coop at night. One more thing.....will they lay eggs in the backyard and I have to go egg hunting everyday? Any info will help. My name is Ed and live by Galveston,Tx.....No snow country here!! If you want, email me at [email protected] regarding pointers. Happy Thanksgiving all

 

[eliwilli]

I had the same problem with 25 pullets They though they were on a cruse ship. They would go to the doors and look out. I would throw them out and they act like they enjoyed being out. Come dark in they would go and be looking out the next day. I got tired of it and put there food and water outside. Two days later they were all very happy to be out.

 

[Peeps61]

Azygous is right - they are being cautious and will come out when they feel secure enough to do so. I had an order from Murray McMurray's Hatchery and they were brooded in the chicken tractor. When they were old enough, I opened the coop run door to let them out free range with the rest of the flock. A few of them stepped out, then stayed along the edges of the run where they could go back in if necessary. Within a few days, they were waiting for me to open the run for them to go out in the morning! Now, they come and go as they please, then most return home to roost at night and I lock them in for safety. They'll get the hang of it soon.