Moving out to coop help

[Hannahmarjones]

Hey guys! I’m new on here, anyways we moved our girls to the coop a few days ago. how long before they know to go in and out at dawn and dusk? We open the doors but they don’t go out and at night i have to herd them back into the coop. Any info is much appreciated! Thanks

 

[aart]

How old are they?
Might need a small light in coop to lure them in.
I use a battery power puck light....turn it on just before dusk, then turn it off when you lock up after dark.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sometimes when I open the pop door for the first time all chicks are on the ground within 15 minutes. Sometimes it takes three days for the last one to decide it's time to brave going outside. I don't get stressed about it and don't see any reason to stress them. I let them work it out on their own terms. They will.

I often keep mine in the grow-out coop section only for a week or more before I let them in the run. They almost never go into the coop at night on their own. I think that has to do with mine being elevated. My brooder-raised chicks typically don't start to roost at night until they are around 10 to 12 weeks old. I've had some start earlier, some start later, but 10 to 12 is a good average. Until mine start sleeping on the roosts they sleep in a group down low. That's why i think mine being elevated has something to do with it, they sleep on the ground, not the coop floor. I don't have that problem when the coop or shelter is at ground level. So every night after dark and they have settled down so they are easy to catch I lock them in the coop. Eventually they will get the message and start putting themselves to bed in the coop when it gets dark. I had one group that I only had to do it once, some take three weeks before the last ones get the message. My groups are often in the range of 20 chicks.

I don't know how old yours are, what you coop and run look like, any of those details. More info and photos might help us spot something significant. Since I do not consider my run predator proof I am willing to stress them to lock them up safe in that coop at night.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If they don't want to come out when you open the coop in the morning, I'd leave them be - let them come out when they're .comfortable (as long as they have food and water they can access).

At night if they don't want to go in, I agree with Ridgerunner... I'm willing to upset them if that's what it takes to make sure they're safely locked up at night.

 

[SavannahRose]

I keep the door closed at night and reopen after sunrise, but so far they’ve been waiting eagerly to come out every morning. As far as going in at dusk, we have had some issues I’ve had to herd them into the coop. But tonight I sat back and just observed as I wondered maybe I was doing it too soon at night and to my surprise all the girls got in by themselves before dusk! But with yours I figure since you leave it open they’ll come out/ go in when they’re ready. As long as they have food/ water in the coop and don’t want to come out I would just let them decide. Do they have a ladder/ ramp they have to use to get out? If so, maybe they’re scared to use it. Mine were for a couple days.

 

[Hannahmarjones]

Sometimes when I open the pop door for the first time all chicks are on the ground within 15 minutes. Sometimes it takes three days for the last one to decide it's time to brave going outside. I don't get stressed about it and don't see any reason to stress them. I let them work it out on their own terms. They will.

I often keep mine in the grow-out coop section only for a week or more before I let them in the run. They almost never go into the coop at night on their own. I think that has to do with mine being elevated. My brooder-raised chicks typically don't start to roost at night until they are around 10 to 12 weeks old. I've had some start earlier, some start later, but 10 to 12 is a good average. Until mine start sleeping on the roosts they sleep in a group down low. That's why i think mine being elevated has something to do with it, they sleep on the ground, not the coop floor. I don't have that problem when the coop or shelter is at ground level. So every night after dark and they have settled down so they are easy to catch I lock them in the coop. Eventually they will get the message and start putting themselves to bed in the coop when it gets dark. I had one group that I only had to do it once, some take three weeks before the last ones get the message. My groups are often in the range of 20 chicks.

I don't know how old yours are, what you coop and run look like, any of those details. More info and photos might help us spot something significant. Since I do not consider my run predator proof I am willing to stress them to lock them up safe in that coop at night.

Thanks! This is helpful!