Five week old chicks not going into coop at night

[jnicholes]

Just letting you all know that the chicks finally took the hint. I went out there at 8:30 to see if I could get them into the coop as an experiment. As soon as they saw me go into the run, they all went inside as of to say “its that time already?“

I still plan to install the window, but at least they took the hint.

By the way, I also ordered a solar powered door. That should help out.

I’m so proud of them, they’re starting to learn!

 

[Logar]

By the way, I also ordered a solar powered door. That should help out.

Just make sure they are all consistently going into the coop unassisted for at least a week or 2 before installing it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

That's wonderful, Jared! Thanks for the update.

 

[jnicholes]

I have taken everyone’s advice. I put in a window and put wire on the front of it. I had to block the chicks out of the coop while I was working.

Poor little girls were scared while I was using the drill and saw. The construction is over now, so they should calm down.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Poor little girls were scared while I was using the drill and saw. The construction is over now, so they should calm down.

If you do construction around them semi regularly they'll get used to it. One time I was up on a ladder with a drill and when I turned to climb down, there were birds roosting on the rungs behind me.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you do construction around them semi regularly they'll get used to it. One time I was up on a ladder with a drill and when I turned to climb down, there were birds roosting on the rungs behind me.

My story in this is that the first time I mowed the grass next to the coop they panicked and hid in the coop. By third time I mowed the grass they realized I was throwing bits of grass in the run through the fence so they came running when they heard the lawn mower.

 

[kalsea]

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:

View attachment 3859744

Regards,

Jared

Christmas lights on a timer inside the coop! I swear by this method. Have it turn on an hour before sunset and turn off right around sunset and they'll learn the routine so fast. Good luck!

 

[MamaPoult]

In my experience you just have to keep locking them in at night and one day they'll figure it out. They aren't the smartest creature

 

[Rock and Rhode]

When my chickens were young I would turn on the light in the coop. Then chase them in with a stick. Never hit them just used the stick to guide them in or block their exit. It made them realize the coop is the safe place.
I had to chase them into the coop every night for a month. And in storms.

 

[Lynnski]

This is such a great thread....thanks @jnicholes for posting! It reminds me what a great group of folks there are here, and gave me a good giggle because i think we all have played the "chase the chicken" game and they keep running out! There was another thread about Coop Cams and it reminded me of playing this game as my husband watched and laughed!

My 6 littles were hard enough to get in with the 2 older hens expressing their objections to house guests....i cant imagine all yours! Nice build too, i wish i had something that big i would def have more than 8!!