My chicks are bird-brains

[gabbondante]

So, this weekend I officially moved my chickies to their big girl house - the coop. They are 3 weeks old. First day, they happily took dust baths and walked around inspecting the new digs. They had absolutely no idea how to walk up the ramp to get into the coop from outside so I had to put them back inside. Fast forward 3 days, and they will not leave the coop. Will. Not. They walk to the edge of the ramp, and quickly moon-walk back inside. Total bird brains! Any tips for getting them to enjoy the out of doors??

 

[JessicaThistle]

Mine were 5 weeks old when I put them out, but it took them about 3 days to get it. On day one, they stayed inside the coop and just watched out the pop door. On day 2 they ventured out the door and down the ramp. But to get them back inside, I had to put them all on the ramp and urge them to go inside. It took two night of urging them up the ramp and on day 4, they put themselves to bed. Yeah!

 

[SusanPC]

I think it is so funny that some of us have chicks that won't leave the coop and others have chicks that won't go into the coop. Regarding getting them to come outside of the coop, I'm assuming your food and water are inside the coop. Try putting their food and water outside their coop or at least enticing them with a little treat. The other side of the coin is that there may be a reason they are not coming out. Temperature, predator, something scaring them? My pullets got freaked out by the shade tent I put over their coop & run when the temps climbed into the 100s over the last few days. If they're safe and have an unknown reason, I wouldn't worry about it too much, but if they won't go outside they will be lacking exercise and the chance to forage, so be patient and see how it unfolds. Try moving their food and water outside if you feel the need to get them out into the big beautiful world. Good luck!