HOW to move chickens to their coop *PIC*

[hansolo]

My chicks are going to be 7 weeks old and thinking about moving them out.
Right now they live in our kitchen area in a brooder made of two plastic bins.
During the day I take one plastic bin outside and they jump out and run around our backyard. Sometimes they'd play for a while, then gather in front of the French door of kitchen and "knock". In the evening, I call them by the kitchen French door, they jump into the plastic bin and go back to inside the kitchen.
Now our coop is no where near our kitchen, but behind the house in the side yard. How do I teach them that is their home? I am afraid they are going to want to go back to our kitchen all the time.

 

[hansolo]

btw, about 2 weeks ago, the started roosting, sleeping on top of the middle of the two plastic bins.
Also our coop is far from any electric outlet.

 

[Domestic_goddess]

Quote:
Once they have slept in the thier coop several night, they will know where home is. Good Luck!

 

[hansolo]

still asking...

 

[Buugette]

Mine know where their coop is and know it is home... but that doesn't stop them from "knocking" on the sliding doors and asking to come in and visit. You have spoiled them... and they will NOT forget... enjoy.

D

 

[HHandbasket]

When we first put ours outside last year, what we did was put them in the coop and didn't let them free range for a couple of days so that they knew where "home" was. I think it only took about 2 or 3 days, and our ladies were about the same size as your chicks.

BTW, your babies are adorable! I love that awkward "teenage" stage. They're so much fun to watch at that age, and I love how they're knocking at the door to get your attention. Hehehe.

 

[fshinggrl]

Yep, lock them in the coop for a few days and then that should help! Feed them there... give them treats.. hopefully they'll figure it out.

 

[urbanolive]

I put the whole brooder in the coop (actually the run) for a few days, eventually when they get comfortable they hop out to explore their new home. But yours are probably associating the bins with home ,not so much the actual kitchen.So if there is room, I'd say move the bins to the coop and they will easily figure it out.

 

[PHarris985]

Quote:
They are so cute. Do they stay in the bin when they go back in the kitchen? Guess you'll have to put the bin in the coop.
Patty

 

[teach1rusl]

Keep them in their new coop for a few days (either with or without the tub). Once you start letting them out of the new coop, sit back there with them for a bit, and give them their treats there. Shut them back inside their new coop each evening. They will quickly learn...