Getting chicks into the coop!

[amk122284]

Maybe I'm late to the party but last night it was comical trying to coral 10 - 5 week old chicks into the coop. It was getting pretty dark and they were all huddling in one corner of the run. As soon as I headed into the run they scattered. I would scoop one up and get it into the coop but as soon as I would try to put another in it would escape. I finally drug hubby out to try and help and I ended up going in to the coop and turning on a light. The chicks came flooding in without any prompting. Tonight I didnt even try to coral them. I just turned on the light and within 5 minutes all the chickens made their way in without hesitation! Craziness!

 

[pennyJo1960]

First 10 times normal then they will be there in the coop waiting for you to close it at dark

 

[amk122284]

First 10 times normal then they will be there in the coop waiting for you to close it at dark

That is a bit of a relief hearing I shouldnt have to coral them for the rest of their lives

 

[ShorterCoop]

Leave the light on, when it starts getting dusk and they will go in on their own. Then once they are in, close the door and turn off the light. After a couple weeks of this try not turning on the light. They should go in on their own. If they don't, to back to the light thing for a few more nights. They will eventually get it. It just takes time!

 

[rosemarythyme]

If there's not ample natural light in your coop then yes a light will help, as chickens do not want to go into a dark space that they can't see in.

If you have plenty of windows (or can add some), you shouldn't have to light the coop, as the chickens can find their way in without help.

 

[amk122284]

If there's not ample natural light in your coop then yes a light will help, as chickens do not want to go into a dark space that they can't see in.

If you have plenty of windows (or can add some), you shouldn't have to light the coop, as the chickens can find their way in without help.

There are 2 58X34 windows in their coop. The problem is they've only been in the run 2 days now and have no clue what they are suppose to do yet lol it's pretty much dark when I go out to close up the coop and they are huddled in a corner in the run. So when it's pretty much dark out and I need a headlamp its definitely dark in the coop too lol

 

[LateBirdFarms]

You just made me realize what I must look like trying to put my ladies to bed early!

 

[amk122284]

You just made me realize what I must look like trying to put my ladies to bed early!

I'm sure I look like I'm auditioning for the circus

 

[rosemarythyme]

The problem is they've only been in the run 2 days now and have no clue what they are suppose to do yet lol it's pretty much dark when I go out to close up the coop and they are huddled in a corner in the run.

Well once it's completely dark the chicks should stay put where they're at, so it should be relatively easy to wrangle them up that way if push comes to shove.

Guess I'm lucky because my chicks always return to the coop after they've been put in there for a day or two (I can't lock them in there to home them because we have hens too, but so far that hasn't been needed).

 

[amk122284]

Well once it's completely dark the chicks should stay put where they're at, so it should be relatively easy to wrangle them up that way if push comes to shove.

Guess I'm lucky because my chicks always return to the coop after they've been put in there for a day or two (I can't lock them in there to home them because we have hens too, but so far that hasn't been needed).

I wish they stayed put they scatter. They are active at night too....which I thought was strange but these are my first chickens so I thought well maybe it's normal when they are still younger. I get motion alerts all night and most of the time the chickens change places and move multiple times. Tonight 3 chickens started off on the water bucket, 2 in bedding, and 5 roosting....kind of....around 11 pm they all had rearranged