Hen's won't go outside

[aalbury]

Long story short, new digs and new run....but they won't go out! They stay inside all day and I shut the run at night. I forced one out but back in she went. 3 days have gone by. Should I toss them all out? Or just let them be couch potatoes?

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

If they are comfortable in the area that they are in, why disturb them?

 

[vstoltzfus]

I agree. Leave them alone, and they'll come out eventually.

 

[aalbury]

They don't get much sunlight in there! I wonder if the door is too high, or the walk too steep...I'll give it a few days and see.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Well if you forced one out, and she went back in, then obviously the door isn't too high. Dont break anything that doesn't need fixin'.... they'll eventually come out on their own.

 

[Thomas423]

Do you have an outside people door to the run?
When we moved ours to their new pen we carried them to the run and then back in the coop while we were finishing the ramp.
When the ramp was done, it took them a bit to decide to try it (they are chickens) but got used to it in no time.

Ours do spend a lot of time inside the coop also, because it is so comfortable for them. They like it, but they do spend time outside too.

Good luck

 

[aalbury]

Thanks! LOL on the breakin' what doesn't need fixin'!

One was just perching on the threshold, so I think it is that they're chicken..... I'll put some greens out there (not much grass right now) and see if the can be enticed. They try to leave with me when I leave the coop, so I thought they'd be all over the run when I opened it!

 

[cherylcohen]

what if you put their favorite treat outside the door?