Five week old chicks not going into coop at night

[jnicholes]

Hi,

I’m not certain if this is the right place to post this, but here it goes.

I have 13 chicks, all five weeks old. All of them appear to like sleeping outside right next to the fence very close together. They’re not going into the coop at night. I set up my trail camera, and there’s no sign of them going inside the coop at night.

This has me worried, because where they are sleeping a raccoon could easily put its arm in and snag one.

I’ve had to pick them up and put them into the coop at night to make sure they stay safe. My run is predator proof, but I’m not taking any chances.

Is there anyway to help the chicks realize they need to sleep in the coop? I’m getting a little tired of picking them up and putting them in the coop every night for the past three nights.

Picture:

Regards,

Jared

 

[Barnette]

It might take a while. Locking them in the coop for a few days might help, but it might also stress them out. For me, it's taken up to two weeks for the chickens to realize this is their home. It might help to have an older chicken to show them the way inside, but I understand that is probably not an option.

 

[PICKSTER]

I'm currently coop training too. I'm into day 4 of hand carrying the littles to the coop roost. I guess patience is a virtue! This group is phenomenal in providing excellent suggestions.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi Jared, cute babies! Be patient, chicks are not the smartest bulbs in the box. Keep putting them in the coop for now. They will catch on eventually, probably about the time you think they are never going to "get it." They are babies, and all babies need to be taught.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Jared, is the coop at least 20 sq ft.? If it's smaller than that, that could be a problem. Also, do you mind showing us a picture of the coop, including the access to the door where the chicks would go in?

 

[jnicholes]

Jared, is the coop at least 20 sq ft.? If it's smaller than that, that could be a problem. Also, do you mind showing us a picture of the coop, including the access to the door where the chicks would go in?

The coop is 8‘ x 12‘. That’s a lot more than 20 sq ft.

I just got up, and I’m going to check on them now. Give me a few minutes to get pictures.

 

[jnicholes]

 

[Logar]

Are you putting them in after it gets dark out or while there is still light out?

 

[aart]

View attachment 3859865

View attachment 3859866

What does the inside of the coop look like?
Is there any ventilation/windows?
Does the pop door close and lock?
With the chicken wire and open pop door, it's not safe.

 

[jnicholes]

What does the inside of the coop look like?
Is there any ventilation/windows?

No windows, but there is ventilation on the top. I just finished building the coop about a week ago. If I need to add windows, I can.