Getting them OUT of their coop

[Buckeye2002]

i was wondering about how to get my chicks to leave the coop. I ah e have it open for about 4 straight days and only a few (3) have touched the ground and only a total of 6 have made it past the door (out of 22).

I need to do some cleaning and I don’t want to stress them out either. Should I “encourage” them to leave?” Thoughts?

 

[Mandrogora]

Is the reason because of snow or are they scared of something? If it's from the cold I put out straw, usually just the dirty stuff from the coop as long as it's not too gross. I also lay a blanket out for them to stand on. You could also use cardboard. Something they can stand on that's not freezing. It usually entices them out. If they still refuse and the weather is decent I'll shoo them out. Sometimes they just need a little encouragement. Once they're out they don't want to go back.

 

[Ribh]

If you want them out you could try enticing them with a treat but I find my chooks always want to *help*. Slows things down because I have to be careful not to step on some sticky beak or there's some inquisitive head suddenly under the rake.

 

[chickens really]

Just go in and clean as needed. Don't chase them out. They will either go out and wait close by or go from one side to the other as you clean.

 

[Melky]

i was wondering about how to get my chicks to leave the coop. I ah e have it open for about 4 straight days and only a few (3) have touched the ground and only a total of 6 have made it past the door (out of 22).

I need to do some cleaning and I don’t want to stress them out either. Should I “encourage” them to leave?” Thoughts?

Put the food and water outside it for the day. I leave mine in covered run. Mine are more out than in.

 

[TheBeardie]

I don't have snow or anything particularly scary to stop that chicks from going out. See if there is anything scary (to a chick) like a brightly colored rake or a chair and remove it from the area. If you have snow I can't help you there.

Food is your friend! My chicks always follow me when I have the feed scoop. See if you can get them to start following you.

 

[aart]

i was wondering about how to get my chicks to leave the coop. I ah e have it open for about 4 straight days and only a few (3) have touched the ground and only a total of 6 have made it past the door (out of 22).

I need to do some cleaning and I don’t want to stress them out either. Should I “encourage” them to leave?” Thoughts?

How's the weather?
Do you have a run protected from said weather?
I'd just toss them out, or do your cleaning with them in there.

 

[123RedBeard]

I'd put their feeder and water out ... then grab a few and set them by the feeder ... then fill the feeder ... they usually are pretty good at "monkey see, monkey do"!

A few meal worms may help some down the ramp too!

Worse comes to worse, just kick them all out for a bit ... if its nice and sunny out ... they will soon learn it's FUN!