First time having backyard chickens

[okdeb]

Hi Everyone!

We picked up 6 Cinnamon Queen chicks when they were only a few days old on Feb 22nd.
The feed store we purchased them from says they are a cross of the RIR roo and White Leghorn hen.
We moved them outside yesterday intending to bring them back into the house last night, but they are so happy having more space that we left them outside. We have a run attached to the coop, but planned to make it more predator proof before leaving them out there.

We put a light in the coop and turned it on last night, hoping they'd go into the coop to sleep, but this morning they were all huddled together in the run. During the day, a couple of them will go into the coop to rest, but so far they don't seem very interested in the coop. They have no problem with the ramp and I've put some dried mealworms inside the coop, but they just aren't interested in going inside.
Any ideas of how to get them to use the coop?

This is all new to us and even though I spent a lot of time reading information, I'm learning as I go.
Great site, BTW! This site has turned up so many times while I was doing research that I figured I'd join.

Deb

 

[Tika75]

Hi. I'm new to this site and to chickens too. When I switched mine to a larger coop I would let them out during the day and made them go in at night. When I put them up I would have a treat for them... mealworms, bread, berries, etc. We don't have a run so getting them back in was interesting but now they come running when they see me go to their coop. They go in on their own wanting their treat.

I guess what I'm trying to say is make them go in at night, but give them a treat. Someone with more experience may have a better answer so I'll be watching.

 

[drumstick diva]

You can lock them in the couple for 3 or 4 days (with food and water), so the learn the coop is their home. After that time they should have figured out to come back to the coop at dusk.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Deb and welcome to BYC - glad to have you onboard. DD has given you good advice - chicks or adult chickens need 2-3 days to know where "home" is.

Meanwhile, the Learning Centre is a great resource, even for experienced chicken keepers - loads of info on anything chicken. https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Joining your state thread may be useful as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - just type the name of your state in the search box.

All the best
CT

 

[okdeb]

I'm happy to report that they all slept in the coop last night for the first time. We both went out this morning before it was light and could see all of them in the coop. They figured it out by themselves. Have to admit that I'm really attached to them.
Thanks to all of you for the advice.

 

[Pork Pie]

Cool beans!
CT