How to get them back in the coop?

[mama k]

I'm new to chickens. We have 11 chickens around 7-8 weeks old that we've had since they were brand new. They are in the coop at night and free range during the day. Every evening, though, it is a struggle to round them up and get them to go back in. We have to chase them forever! They like to run under the bushes to hide, and we have to shoo them out with a pool noodle. Help! There's got to be an easier way!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

do you have a run? it seems a little early to me for them to free range but thats just one persons opinion .you can not feed them till bedtime and only in the coops. maybe an extra treat they like until they get the hang of it.

 

[pizzamanhoxie]

Leave them in the coop for several days, then let them out. After that, they will go back to the coop on their own when it's dusk. At least that worked for me. This helps them to learn where "home" is.

 

[disneyguy]

Ensure to establish a routine that YOU control (set times when chickens are in coop versus out of coop, best when at the same time every day). From what I've read, and the minimum experience I've gained so far, chickens are pretty quick learners!

 

[rpar003]

Our hens are allowed to free range while we're at home. I realize it's still not the safest (something could grab one while we're inside, but it is what it is). So they have to go in and out at all times. I have scratch that I give them when I want them back into the run. I call "chick chick chick chick chick" and shake the container. It took them a couple of days to get the idea, but now they come flying out of whatever bush they're under. Also, if one comes running they mostly all come running (to see what the commotion is).

At night time they just put themselves to bed in the coop, and we lock them in.

 

[bobbi-j]

Have you tried just letting them go into the coop themselves? If they've been living in it since you got them, they know that this is home and should go in on their own. Could be they're hiding in the bushes and running away because they're feeling threatened by you chasing them. An easier way would be to use a can or bucket (preferably the same item every time), but some treats in it - something that will make a sound when you shake it - and train your chickens that way. Go out with the can, shake it, call them if you wish ("Here, chick, chick!) and shake a little of the treat on the ground. Soon they'll come running when they see the can or hear the call. Lead them into the coop that way, always rewarding them for coming in. At least I've heard that works, My chickens free range and put themselves in at night so it's not something I've ever tried.

 

[ronmauldin]

Having a light on a timer in the coop that stays on for a while after sunset sometimes helps draw them inside.

 

[ochochicas]

Our chicks are 10 weeks old and we've just started transitioning them into the coop at night with the other hens. They are food motivated, so we put some rolled oats (which they love) in a plastic container and shake it so they can hear the food. They will follow the sound of the oats into the coop. I've also read if you put a light in the coop they will go in due to the light after it gets dark outside. It took our hens about a week to figure out to go in the coop at night. Be consistent and they'll figure out the routine pretty soon.

 

[cobra350]

Too early for them to free range, they don't understand yet.and the chasing them around to get them back in coop they feel they are in trouble. Your like me I wanted mine to free range as soon as I could to enjoy the excitement of getting up in morning letting them out and watching them file back in during te eve. It will come but just to early give it another month. Hope this helps

 

[ochochicas]

Ours started going out in a horse stall during the day at 5 weeks. At 6 weeks they started "free ranging" which lasted about 15 minutes. They totally understood what it was all about. They would get nervous or scared after a short amount of time. If a crow flew over they would run back into the stall. At 7 weeks they were more comfortable and would walk around the perimeter of the barn. At 8 weeks there were spending several hours outside and were very good about hiding in the bushes or going back into the stall if they saw danger. Like someone mentioned above, they need to be locked in the coop for a few days until they figure out that is where they go to eat and sleep. Pull the food out in the afternoon. When it is time to go back in, put fresh food in there and they'll want to go in to eat.