Coop complete!

[TeriMarie]

Now how do I get my chickens to go up their ladder/ramp at the end of the day to their coop and roosts? Will they just naturally do that in time? Right now we are scooting them up as I am worried they will stay out all night in cold temps.

 

[drumstick diva]

It would help if we could see a picture of your coop to know if the ramp is too steep, to narrow or anything else. How old are your birds, chicks or mature ? Often new birds need help figuring out they should go to roost at dusk. Sometimes you need to put them on the roost until they figure it out. If they free range and you want them back in the coop at dusk and they don't come. Generally you should keep them in the coop for 2-3 days - so they realize the coop is their home. After that they should come back. Once one bird figures out how to use the ramp, the others will follow.

 

[TeriMarie]

Ramp doesn't seem too steep as they go up and down but just don't seem to go up to stay and roost for the night. Will they eventually just do that? Can I safely leave 12-week olds out in their run all night in these cooler night temperatures or should I continue "herding" them up? Thanks!

 

[QueenBubbles]

Hi, I have 5-week olds that I let free range (fenced area) during the day but bring at night. I was herding them in before dusk but they weren't into it, so now I wait until dark and they are ready to come in on their own. I am pretty sure yours will retreat to the inside once dark settles.
That is a nice coop and run - I bet your chicks just want to squeeze the last sundrops from the day and will tuck themselves in when they feel chilled.
Post pix!

 

[TeriMarie]

Thanks for input, all. Only trouble here in Alaska, it doesn't get dark in the summer!

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

It is best to lock your chickens up in the coop for a few days when they first go out to the coop or as chicks. Staying inside the coop only for a couple days, teaches them where home is and they will always return to roost there. As of now, they don't know that they are supposed to roost in there and don't feel safe doing so yet. So keep them inside a couple days and they will head in by themselves.

Great to have you aboard and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Pretty coop! Maybe try posting in your state thread to see what other people do where the daylight hours are so long? https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/84141/north-to-alaska

 

[gander007]