Coop Training

[LauraSac]

I found this site that said to train the girls to go to the coop at night, you leave them in there for the first week with no access to the run (unless it's hot). Yay or nay? Or "it depends"? We're getting pullets around 8 weeks old. Your opinion/experience on this would be welcome.

I'm already visiting the coop every morning, and after work right away. There's not a feather in sight yet! Yes, this is already an obsession

.

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

We didn't have to do that. Will yours have an inclosed run? I think this is mostly an issue with truly free range chickens. Ours became comfortable with their coop right away and return to it several times a day and at least 30 mins before dusk. I think the first night we had to shoo them in, but hasn't been a problem since then. We did have a transitional time though as they spent some time out there when they were still sleeping in the brooder. Since yours are brand new they might need a day or two inside.

 

[Tuhmu]

I would recommend leaving them in their coop for at least a few days, now is a perfect time to do it anyway with the weather being not hot. Otherwise you might have to chase them inside every night for awhile, which isn't the most pleasant experience for both you and the hens. Especially since you are getting older 8 week olds that may or may not be especially tame yet.

 

[Tuhmu]

I'm already visiting the coop every morning, and after work right away. There's not a feather in sight yet! Yes, this is already an obsession

.

I can relate to this, while I do have my girls already, I have an empty brooder box set up that I visit and stare at fondly. Still have little over a week to go on my eggs to hatch

 

[LauraSac]

Thank you! A week sounded like a long time, but a few days does seem like a wise idea. They'll eventually get free range time, but they'll be limited to their enclosed run for a while. While I wouldn't have to chase them around the yard, I don't want to stress them. Or me.

I live in an old urban neighborhood with lots of big trees, and I regularly see hawks. A neighbor just warned me about letting them free range without supervision. She lost a hen last week during the day to what she assumed was our feral neighborhood rooster (roosters are illegal in city limits, so this fella was likely dumped). I'd be more inclined to blame a hawk. I want to build a small A-frame tractor so I can move them around the yard, and will put deer netting on my fenced garden after my summer veggies are spent, and let them go at it. But I'll probably always want to be around if they're exploring the back yard without any cover.

 

[JackE]

I would leave them in there a minimum of TWO weeks. You really want them to associate the coop, as the place to go for the night. It's not a whole lot of fun "herding" them back into the coop at night. Think, herding cats, and you'll get a idea of the fun involved. I learned that with my first group of chicks. The next time, the chicks actually spent over a month in the coop. I had built a chickenwire enclosure in the coop, for the new chicks, until they were almost the size of the older hens. When I took down the enclosure and let them out, there was no problems at the end of the day, they all (16 chicks) went back into the coop with no herding involved.

 

[LauraSac]

Quote: JackE, do you mean JUST the coop or coop which is in an enclosed run?

 

[Phoenixxx]

I've only had to do one to two days and not had a problem. But then most were already adults. I did raise some chicks last year and once i let them loose with the flock (around 8 weeks, I think) they just followed everyone else home at night. They did have two nights in the coop in a cage to get acquainted first, though.

If you do let them go after only one or two days and they don't seem to be going home at night, luring them in with treats is a lot easier than chasing them!

 

[JackE]

JackE, do you mean JUST the coop or coop which is in an enclosed run?

In the coop. If you let them out into the run, they might just stay out there all night. Believe me, it's a whole lot less stressful for the pullets to be kept inside for a couple of weeks, than to be chased all over the place by giant humans. Also, a lot less stressful for the human. I'm too old to be zigzagging around the yard, chasing little birds.

 

[LauraSac]

We hit the 80's, and although we don't have humidity, I decided to let the girls out after 5 days. I didn't want it to be too warm in a closed coop. They decided to stay two more days, but the open door let in more fresh air. They ventured out yesterday and seemed to enjoy themselves. It was great seeing them use both roosts and the dust bath. They went up into the coop on their own at night. The dogs need more training to leave them alone. Our little guy doesn't phase them in the least, but they're not a fan of our two bigger dogs. We had a lot of "leave it" practice. They can't get in the run, but we don't want them to stress the girls. The dogs are inside when we're gone, so they'll be able to enjoy some peace and quiet all day today, and we'll practice more "leave it" tonight.