Go to your coop!!!

[DLCShark]

I'm at day two of outside time with my 6 week old RIR. They have been kept in their coop/hen house area for about two weeks now hoping they get used to it and know that it's home. But that doesn't seem to be the case. So far I've put them up twice. I know I have to be patient(and I will be) but I was wondering the estimated time for them to learn to out themselves away instead of huddling in a pile on the ground.

 

[gatorshark75]

I'm at day two of outside time with my 6 week old RIR. They have been kept in their coop/hen house area for about two weeks now hoping they get used to it and know that it's home. But that doesn't seem to be the case. So far I've put them up twice. I know I have to be patient(and I will be) but I was wondering the estimated time for them to learn to out themselves away instead of huddling in a pile on the ground.

mine were a little older when i locked them in the coop for two weeks and it only took one night to teach them what home was some chicks take longer than others

 

[DLCShark]

Gotcha. Shame though it's been very nice out.

Nice screen name too by the way.

 

[gatorshark75]

Gotcha. Shame though it's been very nice out.

Nice screen name too by the way.

thanks i like yours too and you might just have to go out in the morning and put them out of the coop and put them back inside about dark ive had to do that quite a bit with young birds over the years

 

[red horse ranch]

I'm at day two of outside time with my 6 week old RIR. They have been kept in their coop/hen house area for about two weeks now hoping they get used to it and know that it's home. But that doesn't seem to be the case. So far I've put them up twice. I know I have to be patient(and I will be) but I was wondering the estimated time for them to learn to out themselves away instead of huddling in a pile on the ground.

Can they come and go freely into and out of the coop? They should not be forced to go out. The coop is their safe place and they will eventually go outside and explore on their own if the door is left open. It's a big, scary world out there and they are really still babies. Sometimes it takes a few days before they are comfortable with going in and out.
As for getting them back in at night I always put a little scratch inside in their feeder when I put them to bed at night. Any treat they like will do. They will crowd inside for the treat and I close their door. They don't know what they are supposed to do until they are trained but I'd say in less than a week they should be going in on their own.

 

[gatorshark75]

Can they come and go freely into and out of the coop? They should not be forced to go out. The coop is their safe place and they will eventually go outside and explore on their own if the door is left open. It's a big, scary world out there and they are really still babies. Sometimes it takes a few days before they are comfortable with going in and out.
As for getting them back in at night I always put a little scratch inside in their feeder when I put them to bed at night. Any treat they like will do. They will crowd inside for the treat and I close their door. They don't know what they are supposed to do until they are trained but I'd say in less than a week they should be going in on their own.

like i said each chick has their own time table but the best trick i learned was to put my mated silkie roo and hen in with them the silkies wont harm them and help show them how to be a chicken also they kinda watch out for the babies thats the main reason we have silkies and as soon as the pullets are close to laying age the silkies will move to a new coop with new babies to show the ropes

 

[DLCShark]

Okay fellas. Thanks. I will try to implement those tips/tricks in the coming days.

 

[DLCShark]

Update. Okay I left the coop door open for most of the day and came home to find 2 chicks out foraging and the other 4 out on the "porch". So I think they may slowly come around.

 

[red horse ranch]

Update. Okay I left the coop door open for most of the day and came home to find 2 chicks out foraging and the other 4 out on the "porch". So I think they may slowly come around.

That's the way it's done!

 

[gatorshark75]

Update. Okay I left the coop door open for most of the day and came home to find 2 chicks out foraging and the other 4 out on the "porch". So I think they may slowly come around.

i am so glad to hear that. brings a tear to my eye your babies are growing up