Chicks will not go in coop by themselves!

[Chelsa'sChicks]

When I get new chicks/young pullets I keep them in the coop for a few days with food and water. They get let out after that because they now realize this is where we sleep. When I do this I don't have to chase or catch them.. come dusk they get in the coop on their own. It's very nice for all of us. You could pick them up and stick them in the coop to give them the idea too.

4wks is very young and I'm not surprised they don't care. They are still in 'baby mode'. When they grow more they will realize they need safety and to get off the ground.

 

[rosemarythyme]

One issue I see is the coop is probably dark and stuffy to them. You mentioned adding a light but I don't see any open vents in the enclosed part. Not sure where you're located but if it's hot where you're at, the inside of the coop will be even hotter.

The ramp might also be a little tricky for young chicks to use. You can use a brick to prop up the end to try and reduce the angle, so it's easier for them to walk on.

Also need to point out, that coop isn't big enough for 5 chicks once they grow up. I hope you'll consider altering the unit so that the entire thing can serve as a coop, if you don't already have plans for moving them to something larger.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Do you have a light in the coop? If not I would put at least a nightlight in. I put a string of Mini LED lights on the inside roof of both chick coop and big girl coop and have them on a timer.

 

[Doc7]

Last night i happened to watch out the windows at 8:38 PM with my binocs and got to observe chicken bed time for the same age (4 weeks 2 days old) chicks. It was very interesting.

Over the course of 7 minutes, they would gather on the ramp and look in the coop (I don’t bother with a light so I understand their hesitation until they get more used to it). Then one would jump off and they would all jump off. This happened many times. Then one or two would go in, one would jump off, and the ones that were already in would come flying back out . “Hey! You said you were coming with me!!!” This kept happening until finally 3 or 4 went in, which bacame 5. Then the Delaware chick came back to the ramp and squawked at the Partridge Rock until she too jumped on the ramp and came in the coop. All 6 tucked neatly into the coop. I am interested to see if it occurs at the same time within a minute or two each night and looking forward to 830 tonight!

 

[McGold]

One issue I see is the coop is probably dark and stuffy to them. You mentioned adding a light but I don't see any open vents in the enclosed part. Not sure where you're located but if it's hot where you're at, the inside of the coop will be even hotter.

The ramp might also be a little tricky for young chicks to use. You can use a brick to prop up the end to try and reduce the angle, so it's easier for them to walk on.

Also need to point out, that coop isn't big enough for 5 chicks once they grow up. I hope you'll consider altering the unit so that the entire thing can serve as a coop, if you don't already have plans for moving them to something larger.

You are so spot on about everything! I am feeling the countdown to making something bigger. I have a fairly large yard. 1/2 an acre. There are a few places I am plotting for a large run and coop. Do you think if I uploaded a lot of pictures of my yard, that you guys could help me decide the best spot? Gotta get on it!

 

[McGold]

Last night i happened to watch out the windows at 8:38 PM with my binocs and got to observe chicken bed time for the same age (4 weeks 2 days old) chicks. It was very interesting.

Over the course of 7 minutes, they would gather on the ramp and look in the coop (I don’t bother with a light so I understand their hesitation until they get more used to it). Then one would jump off and they would all jump off. This happened many times. Then one or two would go in, one would jump off, and the ones that were already in would come flying back out . “Hey! You said you were coming with me!!!” This kept happening until finally 3 or 4 went in, which bacame 5. Then the Delaware chick came back to the ramp and squawked at the Partridge Rock until she too jumped on the ramp and came in the coop. All 6 tucked neatly into the coop. I am interested to see if it occurs at the same time within a minute or two each night and looking forward to 830 tonight!

This is too funny! I have seen these similar antics at night night time. It's a comedy show!

 

[rosemarythyme]

There are a few places I am plotting for a large run and coop. Do you think if I uploaded a lot of pictures of my yard, that you guys could help me decide the best spot? Gotta get on it!

Snap some photos, figure out where you possibly might want to put the coop (2 or 3 locations) along with the pros and cons you can think of, and post on the Coop&Run thread - you should get some good feedback on that.