Moving chicks to coop

[Thechicksdigme]

I have read that it is best to lock your chicks in the coop for a period of time when you first move them outside. My coop only have roosting bars and nesting boxes. Will I be ok if I don't lock them in at all?

 

[CurlyQuail]

Will I be ok if I don't lock them in at all?

If your run is 100% predator proof I don’t see why you’d lock them in at all unless it’s personal preference

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have read that it is best to lock your chicks in the coop for a period of time when you first move them outside. My coop only have roosting bars and nesting boxes. Will I be ok if I don't lock them in at all?

No you don't need to lock them in... it's handy to do to home them to the coop (minimizing any work you need to do) but if you're willing to put in the work training them to use the coop then it doesn't matter.

I know it's preemptive but you really should consider changing the interior layout of the coop at least. I already anticipate you'll have issues getting the chicks to voluntarily use the coop at night, getting chicks to not sleep in nests, getting chicks to use roosting bars.

Roosts should be higher than the nests (yours are an inch off the floor) - so in this set up I'd want to raise them maybe 1' or so. Using some scrap wood you can build legs to lift up the bars.