Coop hate!

[FireTigeris]

This Might be the wrong section, sorry-

One night we forgot to close the coop, by we I mean him, and he had a really good excuse-

I was just back from the hospital (again) and hubbie was taking care of Nathan at 1 week old w/o me at all.

But anyway in the morning there was a trail of feathers from inside the coop to outside the coop towards under the deck - and we ware missing the black backed SLW (who was getting a name the next day) ...

...

When the coop was opened that morning the two GLW (Henny Penny, Camilla) were not even in it , they came around from roosting... um somewhere and the other silver (Lady Cluck) and the roo (Bennie) tore out of the coop like their tails were on fire.

they have not gone back since, because the coop was not secure at the moment they are piling into a cat carrier and being brought in at night.


How can I fix this issue?

 

[scooter147]

So are you saying the coop is secure now???
If so start placing them in the coop at night and shutting them up. They will get the hang of it again in a few days.

 

[FireTigeris]

coop is secure- would have been before but it was still open.

ok, I'll try that

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
I'll second that advice

 

[Dixiedoodle]

You may need to leave them in for a few days.. To get them used to being in there again...

 

[LizzyJo]

Could there be something scarey in the coop? A rat? A snake?

 

[FireTigeris]

whatever took the other one was NOT in the coop I checked by hand, whatever took the other one whet INTO the coop (open door) and up into the roost and dragged her off (nothing flying could have done this) - something fuzzy a coon, fox or possum- they are tearing down the woods next to us and we have seen all three in the last week.

So they remember the coop NOT protecting them that once.

 

[cobrien]

Agree you should leave them in for a few days. Chickens get very freaked out when they've been preyed upon, it takes them a little time to get over it. I've found they get over it faster if you offer special treats - crickets, cabbage, spaghetti.... a little extra TLC. but even without treats you'll be fine as long as the coop is secure.