Getting chickens inside coop at night (underneath run)

[IOT]

Hi all,

I just moved all my chickens to their new coop and I'd like some advice on how to get them to go to the coop at night on their own. The first night I made the mistake of giving them access to the underneath run (see picture) and the big run and two of them would not get out from the underneath run or in the coop and it was a pain to lure them so I could catch them and move them. So I learned my lesson. They've been locked in the coop for two days now and doing well, they have plenty of room, food, ventilation, etc. I really would like to allow them out today but I'm afraid of a repeat where I have to lure them back out from underneath and it takes forever. Would two days in the coop be enough for them to know they need to go in there at night? Thanks so much for any advice/ideas.

 

[HappyDuckie]

I'm not sure how long it would take. Have blocked it off so they can't get underneath anymore? If you do that, you can let them out now.

 

[NatJ]

I agree with duckiemum about blocking off the under-coop space.

It doesn't have to be forever, just until you're sure they put themselves in at night. You might be able to use cardboard or chicken wire, because it does not need to be predator proof or long-lasting.

 

[K0k0shka]

Give them at least a week. This is all still new to them, and they need to get used to the coop, get comfortable, and start seeing it as their safe space to go to at night to sleep.

I would advise against leaving that space underneath open to them in general, even after they start going into the coop on their own. I know a lot of people like leaving a short space under the coop to maximize area for their chickens, but, unless you can (and are willing to) crawl under there yourself, it can be a real pain in the butt to get chickens out from under there. Even after they start going in, they'll still regard that space as a safe space to hide under if anything spooks them, or if they just want to get away from you if you need to catch them for inspections, treatment, or for any other reason. You can still find yourself trying to get a chicken out of there occasionally.

It doesn't look like you're pressed for space, so if you want to give them extra area that's sheltered from weather, why not extend the run and put a roof over part of it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have that issue with mine no mater if I leave them locked in the coop only for a week and a half or just put them in the run to start with. They cannot get under my coop although it is elevated like that. I don't have this issue with my coops at ground level.

I did not see where you mentioned their age. I think part of the problem is that until they start to roost they like to sleep in a group pretty low. Mine typically don't start to roost until they are 10 to 12 weeks old. What your coop looks like inside may have something to do with that.

I go out at dark after they have settled down and are easy to catch. They will be sleeping under the pop door. So I toss them in the coop and lock the door. Once I only had to do this once and they got the message. A couple of times I had to do this for three weeks before the last ones started to put themselves to bed. Usually it takes about a week but each brood is different. My broods are typically in the range of 20 chicks.

I would block that area under the coop off also until they started putting themselves to bed.

 

[Asm610]

I have that issue with mine no mater if I leave them locked in the coop only for a week and a half or just put them in the run to start with. They cannot get under my coop although it is elevated like that. I don't have this issue with my coops at ground level.

I did not see where you mentioned their age. I think part of the problem is that until they start to roost they like to sleep in a group pretty low. Mine typically don't start to roost until they are 10 to 12 weeks old. What your coop looks like inside may have something to do with that.

I go out at dark after they have settled down and are easy to catch. They will be sleeping under the pop door. So I toss them in the coop and lock the door. Once I only had to do this once and they got the message. A couple of times I had to do this for three weeks before the last ones started to put themselves to bed. Usually it takes about a week but each brood is different. My broods are typically in the range of 20 chicks.

I would block that area under the coop off also until they started putting themselves to bed.

Perhaps some lattice to permanently block that space off from them. You can screw it on and if you ever need access it easily comes off. But theyll get the hint anf its inexpensive.

 

[Banty crazy]

My coop is at ground level but when mine were younger they didn’t know to go in. But when my chicks are still in the brooder I start Training them to come to chick, chick! I use warm mash or even insects as a reward. By the time they go out side, they come when called but I always have something for them when I do call them. Just a suggestion.

 

[IOT]

Thank you everyone for your answers! I had success the past two nights with luring them into the coop with a light and mealworms. I understand the reasoning behind not making the underneath run accessible...but there's a ramp there that goes directly to the coop and the only other access to the coop is through the big door (the one I can get in through), and I couldn't really use that one as my only access during the winter (would leave the too exposed). What I did the past couple of days is that I left both doors open for a bit (put a ramp to that door, a bit steep but made it work) so that the chickens have more freedom of movement and options to get in and out, but a bit before bedtime I made them all go underneath and then called them from the top, and it worked. As long as my three older ones (about 12 weeks old go into the coop first), the younger ones (10 weeks and 8 weeks, fully integrated group) will follow. I have a concurrent issue with fully integrating these two groups, which I should probably post about separately. One of the hens in the older group is being a bully and the younger ones won't go near her, which limits their ability to explore. Any thoughts on that, welcome too! Thanks again!

 

[IOT]

My coop is at ground level but when mine were younger they didn’t know to go in. But when my chicks are still in the brooder I start Training them to come to chick, chick! I use warm mash or even insects as a reward. By the time they go out side, they come when called but I always have something for them when I do call them. Just a suggestion.

That's a great idea! I do a bit of this but need to be more consistent with a specific word or way of calling them.