Chicks will not return to coop at dusk among a few other "issues"

[yiayiacheryl]

Hello,
My chicks are 8 weeks old. They have been outside in their coop/run for a week now. When we open the door in the morning they have no problem going down the ramp but at night it's a different story. Around 7pm they will staring peeping very loud and I think that is an indication they want to go to bed. My neighbors must get a good laugh because I have to put them inside the coop part one by one and let me tell you they put up a good fight. hahaha If i just left them would they go in themselves?

Also, we made a 5 gallon feeder and waterer with nipples. They will not eat/drink from them. One of them will do an occasional peck at the waterer but they will not use it as their water supply. We still have their chick feeder and waterer on the ground. Should I take them out and "force" them to use the new feeder and waterer?

I am going away for 2 days this weekend and I'm very concerned about them.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Hello,
My chicks are 8 weeks old. They have been outside in their coop/run for a week now. When we open the door in the morning they have no problem going down the ramp but at night it's a different story. Around 7pm they will staring peeping very loud and I think that is an indication they want to go to bed. My neighbors must get a good laugh because I have to put them inside the coop part one by one and let me tell you they put up a good fight. hahaha If i just left them would they go in themselves?

Also, we made a 5 gallon feeder and waterer with nipples. They will not eat/drink from them. One of them will do an occasional peck at the waterer but they will not use it as their water supply. We still have their chick feeder and waterer on the ground. Should I take them out and "force" them to use the new feeder and waterer?

I am going away for 2 days this weekend and I'm very concerned about them.

Just my 2 cents...
If your coop is large enough for them to stay inside for the weekend that's what I would do. That way you don't have to worry about them getting inside.

What kind/size of coop do you have? Is it a shed-type?

If so you might want to try keeping the food and water inside so they have to come and go to the inside all day long. It won't take long before the figure out where to go.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

It takes a while for a chickens body to regulate and tell them it is time for bed. Try giving them a favorite treat in the coop before dusk, they will get the hang of it in a few weeks. As for the waterer I haven't heard of anyone having issues with them, many people start them on the nipples as hatchlings. I would definitely try taking away the other waterers and keep a close eye out for dehydration. They may be stubborn the first day but as soon as one figures out the nipple the others will follow.

 

[Duke6017]

I am interested to hear about the nipple water question as well. I have a nipple water built in my run, but my chicks are too short to reach it. So I also have a 3 gallon jug waterer. I look forward to the time i can just use my nipple system for the cleanliness of it. I just wonder how long it will take them all to figure it out and convert.

 

[iwiw60]

I am interested to hear about the nipple water question as well. I have a nipple water built in my run, but my chicks are too short to reach it. So I also have a 3 gallon jug waterer. I look forward to the time i can just use my nipple system for the cleanliness of it. I just wonder how long it will take them all to figure it out and convert.

How old are your chicks? You say they're too short to reach it...have you tried lowering it so they can? I use the horizontal water nipples and was literally dreading trying to get them converted over for fear "my ladies aren't drinking!" But I was determined mainly because the thought of continuing with daily clean-outs and refills of the old-style waterer was gettin' OLD....really OLD.

So one day I said "this is it girls, you either use 'em or else" .... I REMOVED ALL OTHER WATERERS....all of them. I sat in the coop "clicking" the little stainless steel thingie (for what seemed like forever!), and finally one of them, out of curiosity more than anything else, came over to see what all that "clicking" was about. She put her little beak to it and voila! THE REST IS HISTORY! They all got curious and that was the end of the messy old-fashioned waterers.

Be persistent!! Never give up!!

 

[yiayiacheryl]

this is my coop/run

 

[Leahs Mom]

Okay. It looks too small to lock them into for a weekend I'd guess. How many chicks?

Is the run predator-proof?


I've also heard of folks putting a half of a grape - or something similar - on the nipples to draw their attention and get them pecking at it. Food always trumps

 

[iwiw60]

this is my coop/run

I can see the pop hole in your pic, but I don't see their ramp/ladder up to it? Am I just missing seeing it? If you don't have a ramp/ladder that could very well be the problem.

 

[yiayiacheryl]

I have 8 chicks.....For the most part it is predator proof....I still want to put pavers around the run and put a lock on the door. My yard is fenced in.

 

[yiayiacheryl]

The picture is of the coop when it was delivered....It does have a ramp.