Chicks won’t go into coop on their own

[LoriCx3sons]

It does help to have adults to show the way, but I can see two potential issues in those photos.

First, that ramp is VERY steep -- at least 45% or possibly more. Chickens don't generally like to use a ramp that's over about 30%.

Second, while it's possible that there is ventilation that is out of the photo frame, that coop appears to lack any significant airFLOW -- meaning that it's almost certainly hot and stuffy in there.

If you prop the bottom of the ramp up on a concrete block to reduce the angle and open up some vents at the top and bottom of the roof slope the birds are more likely to want to go in. That will also provide more light inside at dusk so that they can see better to find their roost.

I’ll pass this on to my hubby. There is a windows on the other side and he said there were vents under roof line for air flow. I agree with the ladder. Will see if there is any other way to adjust. That’s the down side of buying a coop instead of making one. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[3KillerBs]

I’ll pass this on to my hubby. There is a windows on the other side and he said there were vents under roof line for air flow. I agree with the ladder. Will see if there is any other way to adjust. That’s the down side of buying a coop instead of making one. Thanks for the suggestions.

You're welcome.

The goal with your ventilation is to have it the same temperature and humidity inside as outside.

When doing ramp training on birds who won't go inside to bed I find it helpful to hold them with my hands over their back and sort of bounce their feet gently along the ramp rather than lift them directly to the pop door.

 

[LoriCx3sons]

You're welcome.

The goal with your ventilation is to have it the same temperature and humidity inside as outside.

When doing ramp training on birds who won't go inside to bed I find it helpful to hold them with my hands over their back and sort of bounce their feet gently along the ramp rather than lift them directly to the pop door.

I’ll try that tonight

 

[LoriCx3sons]

I have a small side window covered inside with hardware mesh. I want to leave it open at night for ventilation but am worried about predators. Thoughts?

 

[NatJ]

I have a small side window covered inside with hardware mesh. I want to leave it open at night for ventilation but am worried about predators. Thoughts?

How is the mesh attached?

If the mesh is secured well enough, it should be fine, but some ways of attaching it are much more secure than others.

 

[LoriCx3sons]

Attached with staples

 

[NatJ]

Attached with staples

Then you should secure it better.

The two main methods I've heard of that are secure enough:

You can use screws, with a big washer on each screw.

Or you can lay a piece of board over each edge of the hardware cloth, like a window frame, and put screws through the board, through the mesh, and into the wood on the other side.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Leave them in the coop for 3 weeks. Sounds like you were almost there.

That's the method I used however that coop isn't really big enough or ventilated enough to lock birds in for an extended period of time.

 

[3KillerBs]

I have a small side window covered inside with hardware mesh. I want to leave it open at night for ventilation but am worried about predators. Thoughts?

Attached with staples

Hardware cloth is good.

But the security of staples depends on what sort of staples.

If it's the little ones from the hand staple gun that's not secure at all.

If it's the medium staples from a narrow-crown staple gun attached to your air compressor it's probably secure if you used enough staples.

If it's this sort of fence staple, either hammered securely or set with a compressor driven staple gun you're golden.

 

[junior67]

I have 4 decent size windows in my coop and the peaks are all just HWC covered as well. The screws and washers worked great as nothing has gotten in my coop at all. I leave them open once it warms up enough that there isn't freezing air blowing in but I have enough ventilation with out them as well.