Getting chickens back into coop/ run

[Viking84]

I have 15 chicks on order of various breeds. Some such as the leghorns are listed as very wild and flighty. I have a large 200 sq foot coop / run but want to let the birds out during the day to forage. However, I am concerned that they may not return to the coop/ run so I can close it for the night for predator protection. Anyone got advice on how to ensure I can get flighty breeds of chickens back into the safety of the coop ?

 

[imnukensc]

Raise the chicks in the coop/run. That will be home for them. When you first start letting them free range, they won't go far at all. Each day they will range a little farther. They'll come back to the coop/run by themselves.

 

[Viking84]

Raise the chicks in the coop/run. That will be home for them. When you first start letting them free range, they won't go far at all. Each day they will range a little farther. They'll come back to the coop/run by themselves.

Thanks, I have heard of leghorns roosting in trees and not returning to the coop once they get out. I'll raise them in the coop and train them to my call to get treats. Hopefully that will help get them back inside if I cannot wait until dark for them to go back in on their own

 

[Al Capon]

I've got one Leghorn and she's one of the first back in the coop at roost time. Like has been said, raise them in it and they'll put themselves up at night.

 

[jolenesdad]

Keep them in the coop for the first little bit. Let them out in the afternoon and stay with them. Get some treats in a jar that makes noise. I use mealworms in a tin can. I shake it and say the same words and they’ll follow you like the pied piper. ESPECIALLY the leghorns once they know you have a high value treat. My chickens have always come running the second they hear me. It’s not hard.

Just shake the can and toss the mealworms in the coop and they’ll literally run in when you want them to.

 

[Col1948]

I was worried about that when I got mine, but as already said, they know where home is and will return when it starts to go dark.
Mine all go back in the coop themselves and roost, I just go and make sure they are all in and close up for the night.
You can try the treat thing as well, they will soon learn that when they see you it could be a treat and they will come running, mine do.

 

[aart]

I have 15 chicks on order of various breeds. .... I have a large 200 sq foot coop / run

How big is the coop itself, not including the run?
Pics would be great!
Are you going to brood the chicks in the coop or your house?
Do yo have other chickens?

Keep chicks in coop and run for at least a week to 'home' them to it.

 

[Viking84]

How big is the coop itself, not including the run?
Pics would be great!
Are you going to brood the chicks in the coop or your house?
Do yo have other chickens?

Keep chicks in coop and run for at least a week to 'home' them to it.

The coop itself is 8x8 or 64 square feet for 16 chickens. That's 4 sq ft per bird. The run in 28x8 or 224 sq ft giving each bird about 14 sq ft each. I will be brooding the chicks in the garage for about 2 weeks then move them into the coop/ run. The coop has not chickens in it now. The 16 chicks I ordered are leghorns, Black Minorcas, Andalusians, Delawares and Golden Comets.

 

[lutherpug]

The other thing you can try is turning on a light in the coop before dusk. That will help lure them in as well. FWIW, my leghorn is always one of the first to return to the coop.