Expert Opinion Needed.... Once Again.

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dm36905

dm36905

In the Brooder
Aug 3, 2015
9
1
11
Southbay
Hello All:
So I finally finished my coop and run; yesterday was my (5) chicks first night out on their own. My (3) Buffs are 5 1/2 weeks old and my Barred Rocks are nearly 7 weeks old. My run is pretty big in relation to the chicks and the coop is raised, probably about 3-4 feet give or take; however, last night I noticed that my chicks would not go into the coop. They chirp and chirped in distress as day time became night time. I tried the light in the coop, food (dried mealworms) up the ramp, and coaxing by trying to walk each one individually up the ramp. There were no positive results. So, what I ended up doing was picking each one out of the run, opened the back of the coop and placed each one inside the coop immediately closing them inside the coop. Today, was the exact same result. My question to BYC experts is - am I using the right strategy? Should I continue doing this and letting them come out on their own in the morning or should I just let them figure it out on their own??

Thanks again for all messages, I know that its fairly early to expect any results, but I wasn't sure if this behavior is normal regardless of using the positive reinforcements .
 
I had to do the same thing with my chicks. By the third night they went in on their own.
 
I had to do the same thing for over a week before my chicks figured it out. They have to come out in the morning so they'll learn to use the ramp that way. Treats on the ramp never worked for me.

The funny thing is that I just got two started pullets (~18wks) from a hatchery, and they figured it out almost instantly. I put them inside the cool on the first night, and to my surprise they went right up on the second night! Their instincts get stronger as they get older I guess.
 
Great thanks guys ill keep my fingers crossed this was our second night and i placed them in the coop through the rear access... im too big to fit in to place them up the coop entrance way. However, they have been coming down the ramp in their own.
 
Downhill is easier than uphill- maybe the ramp is too steep for them. I can't do inclines myself and a distance of 4 ft. up can seem like miles.
 

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