First night in the coup

[tomarcs]

I've read on the forum that some people will lock them in for the first couple of days with food and water, to get them to realized that the coop is their home. Never tried it, but worth a shot?

 

[CarolinaHen]

It will take them some time to adjust to it. Make sure the coop is warm, dry, and well ventilated. If they seem hesitant to go inside it at all, you might want to look carefully at it and make sure the ramp or roosts are not to slippery for them.

By the way, my Son is a Marine stationed in SC as well

 

[SC Marine]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to put food an water in the coup over the next few days. I believe the ramp may be slippery. Going to add a few more strips of wood for grip. They love the coup once they get in there. I am certainly perplexed. CarolinaHen know that you are a great parent to have raised one of America's finest, a United States Marine! Tell your son i appreciate his service. Semper Fi

 

[Gingersnap722]

After about a week going into the coop on their own, mine decided they didn't want to go in last night and I had to put them in there. Go figure...

Thank you for your service!!

CarolinaHen, thank your son for his service also!!

 

[CarolinaHen]

Adding traction to the ramp may solve your problem. You can also use wire shelving on top of the ramp for traction. Post pics of your flock as they grow!

I married a Marine and raised a Marine and a Soldier.

Thank you for your service!!

 

[SC Marine]

Just finished putting ramp back in after applying a coat of textured paint for grip. I also put food an water in the coup. I noticed tonight that i have a Alfa hen. She is in charge. Is that normal? I bought some meal worms an it's like crack for chickens. I believe they would fight my dogs for those worms. I will take some pics an post. Many thanks for the help will keep you guys posted on our progress.

 

[CarolinaHen]

There is always an alpha hen. Ours is currently a small Polish. She bosses the Brahma girls that are twice her size!

Before having chickens, I never quite understood the term "hen pecked". Now I understand it very well.

 

[Gingersnap722]

True, I really understand hen pecked now also!

 

[farnorth]

After getting them inside each day give them a treat of meal worms. After a few days of that walk out and just put the meal worms inside. I bet after a few days they will get their butts inside and be waiting for the treat.

 

[hillcrest10Hens]

Very interesting to read about chicks adapting to the coop. My eight chicks are five wks. old and I hope to move them out at six wks., temperatures permitting. I will move my brooder to the coop w/a heat lamp where they can get acquainted w/the two older hens and the rooster for a week or two through the wire mesh. The chicks will have their own door and yard to play in while visiting w/the big kids through the wire mesh. I'm worried that the littles will get beaten up by the big kids. I've gotten so fond of them and feel very protective! Like a mother hen, I guess. I hope to hear your experiences w/this situation. By the way, my alpha chick is an Ameraucana and she really bosses the R.I. Reds, the black Australorps and the Maran. She will probably have to learn a lesson in pecking order when she joins the big girls.