Is this okay?

[Chicken babies]

I have a new flock of 10, all about 7 ish weeks old. They have a 2nd level coop, with a run under and out for them to run around outside. They have been in the coop for just under a week. They will go up and down the ramp all day long, but when it comes dusk, they lay down in a pile in the run area underneath the coop. It isn't really big enough for me to get in there and take them out to put into the coop every night, although I have done this a couple times. Last night I just couldn't do it, couldn't reach them, etc, so I put 3 that I could reach into the coop and the rest were out in the run. (there is also a larger fence around all of this, which is fully enclosed in chicken wire to attempt to keep predators out). Is this okay? I had chickens a while ago and I do not remember having to "train" them to go inside at night. I am unsure what to do at this point, since it is not physically feasible for me to continue to move them every night

 

[nuthatched]

Chicken wire isn't remotely predator proof, I would add a welded wire fencing layer.
They may need a night light in there until they learn.

 

[Chicken babies]

thank you for your reply.

I understand what you are saying, the point of that part I guess was to convey that they do have multiple layers of "something" between them and the outside world. I am more concerned about if this behavior is normal and what if anything can I/should I do to get them to sleep in the coop? I live in Northeast Ohio and it was pretty chilly within a few days of putting them out there, so we had the heat lamp (light) in the coop for the first 3 nights they were out there.....I had to put them into the coop, so the light did not draw them as we had hoped

 

[RojoMarz]

If they don't have other grown chickens to learn from, I think they are likely too young to realize/know that it will get dark soon and they need to go inside the coop. Instead of retrieving them from under the coop, can you go out earlier and herd them up the ramp and close the pop door? I imagine they will learn to go inside by themselves, but they are still young.

 

[Chicken babies]

I think my run isn't tall enough for me to go inside and herd them. Plus, you are right, they are just babies.....bigger babies, but still babies, a line does not appear to be in their repertoire just yet! Lol

 

[Chicken babies]

We just put them back into the coop again, I guess we will feed and water them in there for a few days again and hope that helps

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Is it feasible to keep them locked in the coop for a few days, day and night, to get them to "home" to the coop? Would there be enough light and ventilation for them to be comfortable? Can you keep their water and feed in there? That might do the trick. I'd try it for 4 or 5 days and see what happens. Repeat if necessary.

 

[tripletfeb]

Do what @BigBlueHen53 suggested and keep them in the coop for about a week, so they know that is home. I live in Northern Ohio too and we've had good weather, even at night. So, them being out all night is not a big deal, as long as they are safe from predators

 

[Mrs. K]

I have a different idea, as I don’t like locking them into the coop during the day. Put a cardboard box, maybe with some bedding in it. Lay the box on its side with the flap on the ground, and the opposite flap hanging down.

They should go into that at dark. You pick it up and place in the coop.

They wake up in the coup and eventually I leave the box in the coop and they go back to it, after a few days you can remove the box.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photos of the coop might help as well. Is it brightly lit inside enough to see at dusk? Is it well ventilated so it's inviting to them?