Chicks not interested in coop

[Chefrica]

My chicks are about 5 weeks old and we’ve moved them into their coop and run since they were getting a little big for their brooder and it’s August so it’s warm out. But the nights do still get chilly so I’ve got their heat lamp up in the coop just to be safe. They don’t seem to go up into it at night though unless I go out and put them in and then they stay in there. Should I continue to put them up there? They understand the ladder just fine and go up and down it daily and often perch in the doorway. Should I just let them be and find their own way or keep putting them in there at night to get the point that it’s safe and warm

 

[azygous]

At five weeks, they don't need heat unless it's freezing. But a little night light for a couple of nights won't hurt.

If you try to think like a small chick, you would be indifferent to the coop because it's strange and new. You need to help them become accustomed to their new home.

What I do the day I decide to move my chicks into the coop is to place food and water inside and put the chicks inside two hours before bedtime to give them time to explore while it's still light. It's much easier for them when it comes time to go to sleep, the place is familiar by then.

If they are used to having a light at night, it's okay to put up a small dim light so they can see they are safe. I've used a tiny flashlight when no power was handy for a plug in light. But they should no longer need the light once they are used to going in on their own.

Continue to put them in through the pop hole so they learn how to go in. I use treats to lure my chicks in the first couple of nights, and I stay with them until they settle in and start getting drowsy.

They will soon learn to go in on their own. It doesn't take long.