Move into the new coop.

[ThenewRoosterintown]

I bought a 3 nesting box coop from the local livestock store in spring when I brought home my chicks. I have since then built a much larger coop for them now that will house all 28 of them but they do not want anything to do with it even when it is raining or bad weather and still insist on using the smaller coop regardless of being cramped for space. they roost up on the top of the small coop and in the run part of it and in the nesting area. I have even tried to lure them into the newer larger coop by putting the food in there. but still at night they would rather roost with the smaller coop. even tough they have been in a fenced in run all of this time they do at times fly over the fence to find treats outside of the run. I have yet to move the small coop out of the run only because I fear that they will follow wherever I put the smaller coop and nest up there. any advice how to get them to move to the new coop?

 

[lazy gardener]

As the flock master, it is up to you to put them where you want them to be. Simply put them in the new coop. Make the old coop unavailable to them. Block their ability to get on top of the old coop, or remove it altogether. My birds LOVE the grow out coop that they were brooded in. I have successive generations of birds that run from their new luxurious coop to hang out in the smaller grow out coop (when ever it is not occupied) during the day. But, they know the new coop is home.

You may have to herd them into the new coop at dusk. You can use scratch grain to help with this, then use 1 long rod in each hand (I use fiberglass fence posts) to slowly herd any stragglers to the new coop. When I do so, I use a calming voice, and tell them to "go to bed". Chickens are smarter than we give them credit for. I believe that, at least on a very rudimentary level, they are capable of eventually learning that that command, coupled with my "herding" means that I intend for them to go where I am telling them to go. You might also want to start giving them any treats in the new coop.

 

[aart]

I have yet to move the small coop out of the run only because I fear that they will follow wherever I put the smaller coop and nest up there. any advice how to get them to move to the new coop?

Remove old coop from run.
Confine birds in run with new coop for a week.
Put them inside new coop at night if necessary.