How to get free range birds in coop

[The Tiny Homestead]

How do you get your free range chickens in the coop? I have four that are allowed to wonder around my fenced in back yard during the day, but getting them out to the coop at night is a nightmare. I've tried treats, but now they're on to me...

Usually with berries, whatever is in season, or sunflower seeds

 

[City Farmer Jim]

I agree with "you have to home them" a 3 or 4 day lock down is usually sufficient or at least was for us. The only thing I have done different than most is I installed a 4 watt night light in the coop on a timer . Its set to go off just after sunset . They all go in the coop with no issues at dark and not a minute before. We do have an automatic pop door and I do check on them but no one has missed going in, we free range a third of an acre.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Herd those babies with your hands out and walk low, repeat, repeat. They’ll catch on!

I've been trying that with mixed results. I finally decided to simply leave them locked in the coop/run for a couple of days. They haven't figured out how to roost inside the coop yet because their mama kept them in the storage tub nesting box that was in the run until they outgrew it. I've been manually moving them into the coop after dark for the past few nights. I figured once they get that down, I'll let them out again to free range and try to train them back inside for treats...

 

[djcram]

I guess I'm lucky mine gladly trade their freedom for grapes. Toss a few into a coop, and even the most reluctant hen jumps right in.

Of course, there is a down side. They know I have grapes in the house, and often I have to wade through a flock of hungry chickens, positioned at the back door, waiting for their bribes.

Ha ha ha.....mine were the same. They would come knocking on my back door during the day to get crackers.

 

[CreveChris]

How do you get your free range chickens in the coop? I have four that are allowed to wonder around my fenced in back yard during the day, but getting them out to the coop at night is a nightmare. I've tried treats, but now they're on to me...

I pick them up while the rooster rounds them up. They free range under supervision and are handled a lot. Some of them ask to be picked up because they love being carried around.

They know the routine and enjoy their coop. I give them fresh food and either Grubblies or sunflower seeds when they settle in for the night. As they get ready for sleep, they love dust bathing, too, as if washing off the "range".

 

[horselovr]

So...

I have a flock that free ranges (see my signature, below). I've hit upon a management method that works for me, and seems to be unique among BYC posters. I can't find a single study that provides the illusion of "science" behind what I've stumbled into.

In short, this is an anecdote, and as advice, is worth not more, and perhaps less, than you paid for it.

I feed my birds once a day. At night. In the run. This encourages everyone to come to the run, and thus the coop, at night for a "free feeding". Which allows me to observe behaviors, look for signs of injury, get a head count, and make certain everyone goes to bed at night with a full crop. Seasonally, I find feed savings between 20-35% against expected consumption.

It also means that the birds know they aren't getting fed again till next sunset - so when I open the gates between 6 and 7am, they are awful eager to go bug hunting and grass/grain nibbling in my biodiverse polyculture (acres of weeds).

I do that, too. I feed at night. I first throw scratch into their run. Then I close the run. I then go do other chores, put food into coop, then herd them in and close the door.