How do I get my chickens to leave their new coop?

[featherfriendlyinIowa52]

My 5 week old chicks moved into their permanent residence just before dusk last night (soooooo happy they're out of my basement!). It was pretty traumatic for them...some more than others. My Ancona which have been very inquisitive and friendly from the beginning stand at their doorway and look out. I was hoping they would lead and the other breeds would follow. My husband enclosed the run without an entrance for me (although he plans on putting one in soon). For now, we just wanted them OUT! Any ideas on how to take the "chicken" out of my chickens or will they just come out in their own good time? Ok, my husband says I should sprinkle chicken feed down the ramp. I'll try this, along with some bread crumbs. Any other ideas are appreciated.

 

[CorinneP]

I would toss them some snacks or food through your run .. call them a bit .. But I think they will get braver and braver .. I am sure they are just nervous .. When ever I feed my Free Range Chickens I always call to them Chick chick chick .. as I like to throw them extra corn or grain beyond free ranging and I like them to eat in different spots ( to prevent over load of poop in any one spot ) so now they just see me or hear me yell and they all come running !

 

[Fred's Hens]

The chicken has a natural instinct of self preservation. Everything preys upon the chicken. Thus, fear of anything and everything is in their DNA. Time cures all. They'll explore a bit each day, cautiously and nervously. As they mature, they'll grow bolder, but they never lose their innate sense of caution. Well, at least the smart ones don't.

 

[featherfriendlyinIowa52]

Thank you. I'll try this. I'd like to let them free range an hour or so before dusk every day when they get older (my husband is against it, thinks they'll cause too much damage to gardens and I'll have my heart broken if predators takes them), but I'd be out with them (of course, I know I can't watch everybody as I have about 50 chicks before I cull most of the roosters).

 

[featherfriendlyinIowa52]

Everytime I make a loud noise or drop something, they either drop and go still or run in a panic to the far side. Even the ones that have warmed up to me. I guess this is a good thing. So, what came first? "Chicken" as an adjective or "chicken" as a noun?

 

[BeulahBreezes]

The 1st night that my chicks stayed in their coop, they wouldn't come out in the morning. I opened the door at 7am and they didn't come out until 9:30! The 2nd morning they all came right out as soon as their door was opened! Yay!

 

[California_chickie]

Everytime I make a loud noise or drop something, they either drop and go still or run in a panic to the far side. Even the ones that have warmed up to me. I guess this is a good thing. So, what came first? "Chicken" as an adjective or "chicken" as a noun?

Haha! Both! Chickens are chicken!
They will all come around very soon. They just need time to figure it out. Treats are key. I can guarantee within a week they will be squalking at you 24-7 to be either fed or let out!
I wish I had so many chicks! It must be really fun watching them interact--- "chicken tv"

 

[highpointfarm]

I always just push them out, and if they go running back in, fine, if they dont, fine... they will work it out soon enough

 

[linkedsilas]

I put mine out last week and they still prefer the coop, I did bribe them out with some superworms though

 

[Birddog1148]

I think mine are afraid of a breeze. They only come out for a little bit and go back in the coop. If it's a little windy they seem to want to stay in the coop. I have been giving them access to the run all week so far and shut the door when I get home at 1145. They dont rush to get out in the morning either.