Help !!! My chickens won't go IN the coop OR come OUT of the coop ????

[bbchickies]

I agree with everyone, but if they continue doing that one thing you could try is not giving them treats as often and then sprinkle a few in the coop. Rattle the bag and/or move them over and they will want the treats in the coop. We did this with my friend's pullet and she came running over and hopped at the bag a little and went into the coop. It was funny because when more chickens came it started guarding the treats with its wings! We did give some to the other chickens and they learned when she shook the bag to come over. Good luck with your chicks!

 

[Rainieb]

Hello my chicks have been out in the coop for a little less than a week now. They are 6 weeks old.
I have had to pick them up from the run and put them in their coop each night so far. To bring them out into the run during the day I've had to physically reach in the coop and put them in the run.
I bring the food in and out with them . Today I just left the coop door open to see if they would leave the coop to go in the run on their own. I left the food and water in there.
I realized a couple were standing at the coop door and the others were peacefully cuddled on the floor.
I was also wondering if my ramp is too steep for them. Here's a picture of our completed coop door with the ramp. The coop was just being worked on and almost finished at this point . Any thoughts?
Thank you! Rainie

 

[hlhutchinson]

Mine were afraid of the ramp and I had to shoo them out of the coop. then at night pick them up and put them in the coop. One thing that I think helped was I would put all but one in the coop then one in the middle of the ramp. My thinking she will learn to go up the ramp so that she can be with the others then once one leans tbrborherd will fallow. Had to do this a couple of times I think it helped. Now in the morning it's a race to see who can get out first and they all put them self to bed.

 

[Rainieb]

Mine were afraid of the ramp and I had to shoo them out of the coop. then at night pick them up and put them in the coop. One thing that I think helped was I would put all but one in the coop then one in the middle of the ramp. My thinking she will learn to go up the ramp so that she can be with the others then once one leans tbrborherd will fallow. Had to do this a couple of times I think it helped. Now in the morning it's a race to see who can get out first and they all put them self to bed.

Thank you! Tonight the girls went in all by themselves! I was out and surprised to come back and find them all nestled in!

 

[blackdog043]

That's just chickens being chickens. It takes them time to adjust to new surroundings. You could raise your ramp at the ground end with something, to not make it as steep, and also add another board in between each raised one on the ramp, for better traction.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

If I had a coop that looked like that I wouldnt want to leave it either. LOL Nice. The ramp does look a little slippery for 6 week old babys . Plus what are the temps ?

 

[WV88]

I had the same issue with my chicks at the beginning of the summer. I talked to my grandparents about it, since they have been raising chickens their whole lives and their are in their 80's.

They suggested taking their food away in the day and it worked for me. My coop is about 2 1/2" off the ground so they were a little unsure about the ramp for a while, but I trained them to climb it with some scratch grains.

Now they they go outside to forage during the day and come inside at sunset and stand in the area where I put their food waiting for me to bring it to them at night.

 

[Rainieb]

If I had a coop that looked like that I wouldnt want to leave it either. LOL Nice. The ramp does look a little slippery for 6 week old babys . Plus what are the temps ?

Thank you! Today in NJ it was 95 degrees !

 

[Rainieb]

That's just chickens being chickens. It takes them time to adjust to new surroundings. You could raise your ramp at the ground end with something, to not make it as steep, and also add another board in between each raised one on the ramp, for better traction.

Great suggestions! Think we will do that to help the girls out!

 

[Rainieb]

Mine were afraid of the ramp and I had to shoo them out of the coop. then at night pick them up and put them in the coop. One thing that I think helped was I would put all but one in the coop then one in the middle of the ramp. My thinking she will learn to go up the ramp so that she can be with the others then once one leans tbrborherd will fallow. Had to do this a couple of times I think it helped. Now in the morning it's a race to see who can get out first and they all put them self to bed.

Sounds great ! It's funny they follow each other and if one is alone, she'll cry!