Moving to a New Coop

[wenwar]

We have the shed ready and some of the girls are laying in there already but how do I get them to sleep in there? I closed their old coop door last night and left the shed door open, but they all laid on the top of their coop waiting for the door to be opened. Any suggestions?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Physically putting them into the sleeping space has worked well for me in the past. Or feed them in the new coop during the morning and the evening, and close the door during the second feeding. Or lure them inside with treats at night, and close the door after them.

 

[aldarita]

We have the shed ready and some of the girls are laying in there already but how do I get them to sleep in there? I closed their old coop door last night and left the shed door open, but they all laid on the top of their coop waiting for the door to be opened. Any suggestions?

They need to learn that the shed is a safe place to roost at night. So far all they have been doing is laying eggs inside but their safe place is still the coop. You need to lock them up in the shed for few days without letting them out (of course with food and water). Once they feel safe there, then you can let them out and close the coop completely.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Agree with aldarita. I locked mine in their new coop for 2 days, and after that they had no issue treating it as their new home.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you don't want to lock them in all day, just wait till they roost at night, and move them to the new place, lock them up, let them out in the morning. One or two times of doing that, and I bet they will be there by the third night if not before.

 

[Rockhill Flock Rocks]

I was just reading this post and it completely applied to me. Thanks and I'll try these suggestions!