Coop Training

[trueblue1]

I'm really glad I found this thread. I'll be introducing my 12 Brahmas to their new coop this weekend and I also read to keep them in the coop for 5-7 days. I'll keep an eye on them for the first 5 days then maybe open the door.

 

[Tjack101]

Mine are 10 weeks old and have been in their coop/run for a week. I have only had them 2 weeks so they dont really know or like me yet. I still have to chase them down and put them in the coop every night. I dont want to lock them in the coop with no access to the run for a few days. I think thats a bad idea with this bunch as 3 of the 4 lost most of their feathers last time they were enclosed for 5-7 days. They get bored and peck each other to the point of bleeding and big sores! One in particular. Is there any reason they NEED to go in to the coop every night? Can they just stay in the run? Wont they eventually figure out to go inside? I live in the Coastal region of Texas so its in the 50's-60's at night here so not cold.

 

[LauraSac]

Mine are 10 weeks old and have been in their coop/run for a week. I have only had them 2 weeks so they dont really know or like me yet. I still have to chase them down and put them in the coop every night. I dont want to lock them in the coop with no access to the run for a few days. I think thats a bad idea with this bunch as 3 of the 4 lost most of their feathers last time they were enclosed for 5-7 days. They get bored and peck each other to the point of bleeding and big sores! One in particular. Is there any reason they NEED to go in to the coop every night? Can they just stay in the run? Wont they eventually figure out to go inside? I live in the Coastal region of Texas so its in the 50's-60's at night here so not cold.

Tjack, I'm a newbie, but I don't think it's the weather that's an issue as much as predators. If your run is predator proof, they're probably ok, but maybe someone else can answer that. I think my run is pretty secure, so I'd like to eventually be able to leave the door open (it comes from the floor of my coop) and let them come and go. I was at work today, but I don't think they left the coop. There are only two of them, so they have room, even though it's a small coop. I might try to bribe them down into the run with some treats before I leave for work tomorrow since it's supposed to get into the upper 80's. I would think they'd leave for the cooler air (we don't have humidity so shade is much cooler), but it was in the 80's today and they stayed put. There are only two of them, so while they fuss at each other, they follow each other everywhere in the run and they cuddle in the coop. There's nobody to gang up on since they just have each other.

As far as not knowing you yet, mine cowered in the corner the first couple days every time I opened the coop door, but now they're fine with me. I don't want to force myself on them, but this coming weekend, I plan to hang out in their run and hopefully they'll get to the point where they'll eat treats out of my hand. Ideally, I'd like for them to be more like pets, but at the very least, I want to be able to handle them without them stressing.

 

[Tjack101]

My run is predator proof for the animals in my area anyway. That said, even if it wasn't putting them in the coop doesn't help as I don't lock them in there and if a predator can get in the run there is nothing stopping it from getting in the coop. The chickens come out on their own every sunrise. When I go out to check on them in the evening they are all huddled up in a corner of the run settled in for bed. That's when I rustle them up and put them In the coop. If there is nothing wrong with them sleeping outdoor since it's warm I won't mess with it anymore. As long as they figure it out by the time they lay eggs. Just curious what experts might have to say about this. Thank you for your response and good luck with your babies. Mine still run from me. Lol

 

[LauraSac]

We've now had the girls two weeks. They've been slow to come down from the coop in the morning, but they go up on their own at night, which is great. If I sit in the run, they'll come down, but I finally didn't need to do that this morning, as they hopped on the ladder as soon as I opened the door. They're also both eating out of my hand now. A long way from cowering in the corner when I open the door!

I'm now introducing treats, such as peas and greens from my garden. They LOVE lettuce and baby chard. I put it in a suet basket and they peck it out.

 

[Tuhmu]

Glad things are turning out