Coop training? What do I have to do?

[Lulu-vt]

I'v had chickens before. I can't really remember training them though. I guess it's been awhile. Once I move the chickens out of our house (please let that be soon!), what kind of "training" will I need to do? Initially it will be just the coop. The run will be next.

 

[StinkyAcres]

It's helpful to place them on the roosts in the evenings until they understand that is where they need to go at night. Then fake eggs in the nesting boxes show them where to lay their eggs. It doesn't take long and after that you don't need to do anymore training.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Usually you don't really have to train them to do things, if you set things up to appeal to their natural instincts. At most, it'd be training them to go into the coop at night (which can be as simple as locking them in the coop for a few days, or manually putting them inside at night) - which may include teaching them to use a ramp, if you have one, or roosts, if they don't seem to want to use them without urging. And encouraging them to use nests when the time comes, if they don't figure it out for themselves.

 

[aart]

Leave them in the coop for a week, to home' them, then let them out into the run late in the day for an hour or so to see if the coop up to roost. Observe and adjust.

 

[Lulu-vt]

It's helpful to place them on the roosts in the evenings until they understand that is where they need to go at night. Then fake eggs in the nesting boxes show them where to lay their eggs. It doesn't take long and after that you don't need to do anymore training.

How do they know to come back into the chicken coop at night if they are outside?
Would I put the roosts lower since they are younger and then move them when they have fully grown?

 

[Penpal]

I would have the roosts all at the same height.

 

[aart]

How do they know to come back into the chicken coop at night if they are outside?

That's why you 'home' them to the coop so it becomes their safe place.

Would I put the roosts lower since they are younger and then move them when they have fully grown?

That might depend on how old they are and how your coop is set up.
Pics would help.

 

[Lulu-vt]

That's why you 'home' them to the coop so it becomes their safe place.


That might depend on how old they are and how your coop is set up.
Pics would help.

It’s not built yet. Getting there! They are 5 weeks old. I have attached my coop as of yesterday. Itniwnslow going since I’m building it solo. The walls are going up tomorrow and the roof soon after.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How do they know to come back into the chicken coop at night if they are outside?

Once they're homed to the coop their instinct tells them to seek shelter in there at sunset.

Would I put the roosts lower since they are younger and then move them when they have fully grown?

No need. Young birds often have an easier time getting up on roosts than older ones, and even 2 week old chicks can easily leap up a couple feet.

 

[newtochixx]

Our chicks just figured it out on their own. We had to manually put them in the coop for like 2 nights because they didn’t understand the ramp but they figured it out.