How do I get the lovely ladies to come out of the coop?

[LuckyMNChick]

Ok, the 9 week old hens have been locked in their new coop for 4 days since I moved from from their brooder box. I opened the door to the outside run today expecting to see them push and shove each other on their way down the ramp to the outside. Well, it’s been a few hours and still no takers. Does it normally take a while for them to venture out? Or, do I need to be doing something to encourage them to go?

 

[NatJ]

It's new and scary out there, and the coop is familiar and safe.

Just be patient, and they will come out when they are ready.

 

[Isadora]

In my experience, it's usually several days before they start venturing out, And when they start venturing out they will likely stay very close to the coop. They need to get comfortable first. Patience is key.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Yep, mine took a few days and even after that it was mad dashes out then back in

 

[LuckyMNChick]

Thank you both for your speedy replies! I was worried that I’d raised a bunch of ‘chickens!’ (Sorry! I couldn’t resist!)

 

[Ridgerunner]

Like they said, patience. I've had every chicken in the run within 15 minutes of first opening the pop door. Not often but that has happened My broods are typically about 20 chicks. But I've also had broods where it was into the third day before the first one hopped out into the run, and it almost immediately hopped back into the coop.

It can be hilarious watching them. I've seen the bold ones go to the pop door and look outside. They may even stick their head outside to get a good look, then pull back and clearly think, nope not yet. Just another time that Chick TV is better than anything on cable, satellite, or antenna.

They will all eventually come out. Then you'll be asking, how do I get them into the coop?

 

[3KillerBs]

It can be hilarious watching them. I've seen the bold ones go to the pop door and look outside. They may even stick their head outside to get a good look, then pull back and clearly think, nope not yet. Just another time that Chick TV is better than anything on cable, satellite, or antenna.

Last summer I got my little ones out of the coop by sprinkling the ramp with their favorite treat -- tiny bits of greenery.

 

[LuckyMNChick]

Last summer I got my little ones out of the coop by sprinkling the ramp with their favorite treat -- tiny bits of greenery.

I’ll give that a try! Thanks!

 

[LuckyMNChick]

Like they said, patience. I've had every chicken in the run within 15 minutes of first opening the pop door. Not often but that has happened My broods are typically about 20 chicks. But I've also had broods where it was into the third day before the first one hopped out into the run, and it almost immediately hopped back into the coop.

It can be hilarious watching them. I've seen the bold ones go to the pop door and look outside. They may even stick their head outside to get a good look, then pull back and clearly think, nope not yet. Just another time that Chick TV is better than anything on cable, satellite, or antenna.

They will all eventually come out. Then you'll be asking, how do I get them into the coop?

Thank you for the great information—I appreciate it!

 

[aart]

What does your run look like?
Places to 'hide'?

Sprinkling scratch on the ramp can help,
especially when you need to get them back into the coop.

If they don't go out on their own after a few days, I've been known to toss them out there.
Once a few go out, the rest will likely follow.