Getting babies to follow into coop

[TarzansJane]

i have 5 layers and 9 around 9 week olds. The big girls follow me to the coop every eve by me shaking Mealworms the little girls have no clue and its a wrangle type of issue to get them in. This is the first day we had 2 out w the big girls. Any thought on how we can train them to follow me or associate the bag of mealworms with going to the coop? Not sure I'm going to enjoy chasing 9 babies around the yard every night!!! Lol

 

[Judy]

They are probably avoiding the older girls. Really, there is probably enough difference in size that you are doing well not to see the young ones being attacked by the older ones.

You actually shouldn't have to encourage the older ones in either. They should go in on their own, between sunset and dark, if there is natural light and enough ventilation inside.

 

[TarzansJane]

Well currently they are in a tractor during the day. So in the evening I open the tractor and most run to the coop. There is always that straggler that needs coaxing lol. The babies were funny outside they avoided the bigger girls but were so happy to be outside!!

 

[lindzkg]

I'd like to know as well, my big girls will go into the coop at dusk and I've tried to just let the littler ones figure it out but they just end up finding a corner somewhere and try to huddle together. When I put them in the coop and lock it up with the big girls they all snuggle together, but they don't ever follow them in on their own.

 

[lindzkg]

Scratch that. Every time I ask for advice on this website I realize I just need to be more patient. Baby girls went into the coop all on their own and were snuggling the big girls when I went to check in on them to tonight haha

 

[aart]

Scratch that. Every time I ask for advice on this website I realize I just need to be more patient. Baby girls went into the coop all on their own and were snuggling the big girls when I went to check in on them to tonight haha

Snuggling with the big girls? Really!?

Usually pullets are not allowed anywhere on the main roost until well after onset of lay.

 

[JMcGuire]

Glad to read this thread! I'm thinking about putting out my 2 month old and I was worried about them not going into the coop by themselves! Good info!

 

[Peeps61]

As long as they know where home is, they will return to roost at night. My big girls are in a big coop with roosting bars and nesting boxes. They go there right before dusk. My four younger girls - all raised together- were in a chicken tractor for a month before I started letting them range with the big girls. They mingle well, and the little ones stay away from the big girls. At dusk, they get into the coop of the chicken tractor and I lock them all in. Each flock has it's own roosting area, and they all run around together during the day, even going in and out of the other coop. But at night, the nine big girls go home and the four little girls go home. I just have to lock them up. Consistency is the key - they will learn from each other if only a few are doing it, the others will follow suit because they don't want to be left alone.

 

[lindzkg]

@aartThey do! I didn't realize that doesn't happen often (we haven't had chickens for long) the little girls will push themselves between the older ones and they all huddle together. I'm glad they get along, I was worried for a little. The youngest, Sassy, is a Speckled Sussex and definitely picked her own name. For a while there I was worried the big girls were going to lose patience.

 

[aart]

@aart They do! I didn't realize that doesn't happen often (we haven't had chickens for long) the little girls will push themselves between the older ones and they all huddle together. I'm glad they get along, I was worried for a little. The youngest, Sassy, is a Speckled Sussex and definitely picked her own name.

For a while there I was worried the big girls were going to lose patience.

That's very cool! Maybe it happens more than I know, maybe I just hear the problem stories(not unusual on the net).

I know my present group of 3 pullets (now 18 weeks old) raised by a broody in the coop, are almost a totally segregated group from the flock.
They spend most their day 'hiding' on the roosts if any but a few birds are in the coop, there's even an outcast amongst the 3 in the treats and roost space realm.
I have quite a few 'mean girls' in my flock.