Moved 9 1/2 week chicks to coop and run.

[mstailfeathers]

I am new to chicken raising. I have 4 wonderful girls. 2 Americana Delaware and a golden lace wyandotte. We put together our coop and run. The coop is raised up off the ground, so we have a shady area underneath the coop for them.
We moved them to there coop around dusk. Placed them in the coop, and it was fine. Even though it was almost dark, the Delaware left the coop and had to explore the run and the surroundings for a bit. Next morning all chicken were up in the coop. Yesterday they had a wonderful time exploring their new digs. They loved the sand pit I made for them underneath the coop. Last night before I went to bed I went to check on them. None of my girls went up into the coop, then all were underneath in the sand pit area. They had their usual chickie mosh pit going and all looked fine.

What can I do to get them to go up the stairs and into the coop at night, or will they figure this out on their own? I felt bad that they decided to roost in a corner underneath the coop we made. I put water inside the coop etc. Do I need to give them time and they will figure out that upstairs is where they are to be at night? I am doing anything wrong? Thanks for your help.

 

[Gembeag]

I'm no expert and only have four 7 week old chicks but our's have been outside for a week now and seem to have found their own way in the coop as it gets to dusk. Maybe give them time? I'm sure other more knowledgeable people can help more though!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I am new to chicken raising. I have 4 wonderful girls. 2 Americana Delaware and a golden lace wyandotte. We put together our coop and run. The coop is raised up off the ground, so we have a shady area underneath the coop for them.
We moved them to there coop around dusk. Placed them in the coop, and it was fine. Even though it was almost dark, the Delaware left the coop and had to explore the run and the surroundings for a bit. Next morning all chicken were up in the coop. Yesterday they had a wonderful time exploring their new digs. They loved the sand pit I made for them underneath the coop. Last night before I went to bed I went to check on them. None of my girls went up into the coop, then all were underneath in the sand pit area. They had their usual chickie mosh pit going and all looked fine.

What can I do to get them to go up the stairs and into the coop at night, or will they figure this out on their own? I felt bad that they decided to roost in a corner underneath the coop we made. I put water inside the coop etc. Do I need to give them time and they will figure out that upstairs is where they are to be at night? I am doing anything wrong? Thanks for your help.

This is a very common issue encountered when moving them to the coop -- chicks that had been raised by a broody mother hen would have learned this lesson from her as she gathered them up and marched them into bed each evening, your chicks were raised in a brooder and have no mother hen to teach them how to be chickens, so you must step in. Anything you want them to learn, you must teach them. You can go about this a few different ways - you can call them from inside the coop to lure the into going up the ramp and into the coop, you can "herd" them from outside the coop and move them up the ramp that way, you can go out after dark and pick them up and place them in the coop -- it's going to depend on the accessibility of your coop and run as to which is most workable for you/your flock. I prefer the first two methods as they involve the birds actively moving under their own power from where they aren't supposed to be to where they are supposed to be. I tend to use the "herd" them approach because for our setup that is the easiest way to get everyone in at once and close the pop door to keep them in once they are inside.

 

[mstailfeathers]

OK, this evening I "tried" rounding up the chickens to walk up the ladder to the coop. Ha, that was an exercise that should have been captured on video, chickens probably thought I was absolutely bonkers. I got one to go up the ladder, the others I had to "pick up" and put them in. Instead on roosting on the nice roosting poles, they all pile up in a chickie mosh pit in the nesting box. It is funny that during the day they will hop on and play with the roosting poles but will not sleep on them yet. It makes me laugh and drive me crazy at the same time. I guess being 9 1/2 weeks old they will get the hang of it sooner or later.

 

[Gembeag]

We have blocked off our nesting boxes so they can't sleep in them. Our's won't be needed for months yet. Perhaps you could try that. Did they sleep on a perch in their brooding box? I used mealworms to tempt them up the ladder to begin with.

 

[diana507]

When I took mine to the coop from the brooder. I shut them in the coop for a few days. Every night close to bedtime I would go out and call them in the coop and give them some meal worms. When it certainly time to let them in the run during the day, they went out happy and I kept going out at close to bedtime but time enough so they could still see in the coop and give them their treat and shut them in for the night. After a week or so I waited to see what they would do on their own and they put themselves to bed if I'm not out there in time and I just shut their door. Treats and the same call when you want them to come I have found works great! They really are like 2 year Olds sometimes. Good luck!

 

[mstailfeathers]

I checked this evening, 3 of the 4 chicks put themselves to bed this evening yeah!!! Blocked off the nesting box, and they are sleeping together on the floor on the coop. They are such a bonded little group. Last night only 2 put themselves to bed and the other 2 were paired off on the bottom, it was cute to see. I know sooner of later they will use the roosting poles. I know they are on it during the day as certain place has been "splatted" upon. I will continue to show them they way. I use oatmeal as it is like chicken cocaine to them. I have one that will dance in circles and jump. Thank you everyone for your tips and tricks.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
Are your roosts too narrow? At this age they should be 2 inches wide with the edges rounded off a bit.
When they are adult size, the roosts should be 4 inches wide with the edges rounded off a bit.
Best Success,
Karen

 

[TRMFAM]

I agree with Diana...most everything I have read says when first transitioning lock them in the coop for the first 2-3 days 24 hours a day so they learn this is home now. Supports the chickens going home to roost mantra...you have to teach them where home is.

 

[mstailfeathers]

I am happy to report that all of my chicks are putting themselves to bed on a regular basis now. My golden laced wynadotte is not a hen but a rooster least the name Crisco does not have to be changed.
Found that out this morning when it tried out it's cock-a-doddle-do. It will be finding a home on a farm today or tomorrow. Our little group will be down to 3, but that is ok. I am not sure if they are roosting on pole at night,(nesting box is closed until egg laying starts) but during the day they are roosting and playing on the poles. I have put some low roosting places in the bottom on the pen, and they are enjoying it. Thank you everyone for you kind suggestions and help.