chicks won't go in at night

Date sort Score sort
jstover

jstover

Hatching
5 Years
Joined
May 5, 2014
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
7
My 7 week chicks won't go in to the chicken coop at night. We have to capture them and physicaly put them in at night. I built the " city coop" so it's not low to the ground. Help
 
haha. i'll try it. my wife is getting tired of chasing them down and putting them in the coop and turning around to get another and seeing the first one coming back down the ramp to the run. I think its funny, but she's not laughing. somebody told me to keep their food and water in the coop, but only two out of the four go back to eat and drink, and its hot here in southern cal. thanks for the advice
 
jstover said:
haha. i'll try it. my wife is getting tired of chasing them down and putting them in the coop and turning around to get another and seeing the first one coming back down the ramp to the run. I think its funny, but she's not laughing. somebody told me to keep their food and water in the coop, but only two out of the four go back to eat and drink, and its hot here in southern cal. thanks for the advice
Click to expand...
They will learn eventually. At that age they are a bit insecure about the coop. They usually won't even roost at that age.

:)

I would keep some water in the run for them until they learn how to navigate.
 
Last edited:
Maybe be they are much to hot in the coop. Do they have functional windows that you could back with 1/2" hardware cloth inside the coop (to keep predators out).

Also they may be afraid to enter a dark coop some people use a light on a timer . It goes on at dusk and shuts off in 20 minutes or so.

You should help your wife put them in the coop- you could block the door while she gets another one. Or hand birds to her while she blocks the entrance.

If she gets mad enough she might put starch in your shorts.
 
drumstick diva said:
Maybe be they are much to hot in the coop. Do they have functional windows that you could back with 1/2" hardware cloth inside the coop (to keep predators out).

Also they may be afraid to enter a dark coop some people use a light on a timer . It goes on at dusk and shuts off in 20 minutes or so.

You should help your wife put them in the coop- you could block the door while she gets another one. Or hand birds to her while she blocks the entrance.

If she gets mad enough she might put starch in your shorts.
Click to expand...
yuckyuck.gif
 
images


Welcome to BYC!

I like to lock my new chicks in the coop for a couple days so they learn where home is. This way, once they have slept in the coop and are comfortable, they will always return to this place of safety. Chicks don't automatically know where home is. You have to train them.

Enjoy all your poultry adventures and welcome to our flock!
 
Last edited:
welcome-byc.gif
When I first introduced my chicks to the coop, I locked them in for a few days. Like TwoCrows said, it shows them that the coop is where home is. Good luck!
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! X5, locking them in the coop for a few days helps them learn where home is. A light for a short period at dust as ChickensAreSweet said and check the temperature isn't getting uncomfortably hot as drumstick diva suggested may help. Also make sure your ramp makes it easy for them to get into and out of the coop. If you don't have one, a hen door on the coop may not be a bad idea either, can lock one in while you catch the others.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom