How to train them to go into coop

[Chasingcars]

Mine tuck themselves in at dusk. We didn't have to teach them

Yes we all have chickens that take themselves off to bed ...but In the original post the keeper stated hers also do take themselves off to bed ..she isn’t attempting to teach them to go to bed ..she needs them to go to bed earlier than the chickens would like to As she has an automatic door closing system and fear as it closes at just dusk they’ll be shut out as it’s still lighter outside.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chickens don't want to walk into a dark box so I would put a light in there or better yet, windows. I sounds like you're using the floor for ventilation and I don't know if that's going to be sufficient in Texas (nevermind a wire floor is generally a bad idea).

If you can set the auto door to timer instead you can buy them a little extra time to get in, but they still might not want to go into the coop if they can't see in there.

 

[ladychick328]

Were going to try the light idea n the coop this evening and see how that works as I was able to coax most of them I'm last night with the flash light on my phone lol. I did have to set them up on the perch though, they would get up there as then get down and come back to my phone while I was waiting on the slower ones. They kno how to go in and out of the coop during the day, that is where there food and water is located. Hopefully they get it down pretty soon.... it sounds kinda silly to tell someone I have to drive an hour to put my chickens to bed...lol. This is their coop and yard.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The coop is quite nice, much more spacious than I thought. Even if you don't have time to do it now, definitely consider putting in a few windows for both light and ventilation at some point before summer. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, just cut out openings and cover them with a secure mesh like hardware cloth for predator protection.

 

[aart]

The coop is quite nice, much more spacious than I thought. Even if you don't have time to do it now, definitely consider putting in a few windows for both light and ventilation at some point before summer. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, just cut out openings and cover them with a secure mesh like hardware cloth for predator protection.

Ditto Dat^^^

Coop definitely needs more ventilation up high.
Mesh floor can cause feet problems.
And tho many hope all the poop falls thru the mesh,
ain't gonna happen especially as they grow and those poops get bigger.

I'd put a floor in there and use the mesh for windows and vents.

How soon will you move there?

 

[ladychick328]

In about three to four months, as soon as our house is built

 

[ladychick328]

In about three to four months, as soon as our house is built