How to get chicks in the coop at night.

[Starneschicks]

Hi I’m new to this and constantly looking up how to do things. My chicks are a little over 6 weeks old. I put them in their coop for the first time the other morning. I left them in their coop for 24 hrs to get them accustomed to their new home. Yesterday I let them out in the run- they love it. When I came out closer to dusk- they were really loud but not going into the coop.my husband and I had to pick each one up to place them in the coop. Is there a trick to this? I want them to go in on their own.

 

[DobieLover]

Hi I’m new to this and constantly looking up how to do things. My chicks are a little over 6 weeks old. I put them in their coop for the first time the other morning. I left them in their coop for 24 hrs to get them accustomed to their new home. Yesterday I let them out in the run- they love it. When I came out closer to dusk- they were really loud but not going into the coop.my husband and I had to pick each one up to place them in the coop. Is there a trick to this? I want them to go in on their own.

Do they have to navigate a ramp to get back in? They don't know how to do that instinctively and without a mother hen to teach them, it's up to you.
I used a dried mealworm trail and taught each chick how to use the ramp. By the third night, they had it down.

 

[Starneschicks]

Do they have to navigate a ramp to get back in? They don't know how to do that instinctively and without a mother hen to teach them, it's up to you.
I used a dried mealworm trail and taught each chick how to use the ramp. By the third night, they had it down.

Yes they have a ramp and there is no mother hen. That is a great idea. Thank you.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Do you have a light in the coop? They also don't like to go into a dark coop, I have a light on a timer to turn on at dusk so they know to go inside.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Put a light in the coop. No electricity? Get one of these, it comes with batteries. Turn it on before sunset, turn off when you lockup the coop. GC

 

[Starneschicks]

Do you have a light in the coop? They also don't like to go into a dark coop, I have a light on a timer to turn on at dusk so they know to go inside.

We live in the country and there is a big street light on our property, but it may be darker in the coop due to the position and the windows

 

[MARANMAN2011]

Make a trail like they said.
The light thing will work also but they need a real reason to go up ramp. Like E.T. and the Reese's Pieces.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Like

Yeah, I would follow a trail of Reese's Pieces. GC
ETA; don't use to get chickens into coop.

 

[5ChicksInTheCity]

I actually got super lucky and mine just went right in from their first day out. But I heard that the light in the coop is the best way

 

[Eggscaping]

Hi I’m new to this and constantly looking up how to do things. My chicks are a little over 6 weeks old. I put them in their coop for the first time the other morning. I left them in their coop for 24 hrs to get them accustomed to their new home. Yesterday I let them out in the run- they love it. When I came out closer to dusk- they were really loud but not going into the coop.my husband and I had to pick each one up to place them in the coop. Is there a trick to this? I want them to go in on their own.

...you can always tie little elastic cords to each of their legs...then when they get too far away from the pop door they'll rebound right inside...ZIP!...like yoyos.... or perhaps feed them tiny magnets, then use a bigger one to 'collect' them...or dress up in a fox costume and SCARE them up the ramp...or..or...use a leaf blower to BLOW them back into the coop or...
Ok, I'll stop now...