My hens won't leave coop - for ANYTHING

[Mac]

Thanks for the replies folks. I really do think their age has a lot to do with it. I would only let them out if I was there with them. I'll keep offering the outside and if they want to, they will go. I just keep thinking they would be so much happier if they got out of the house once in awhile, always with supervision.

mdbucks - I am getting another rooster in the spring. I miss the crowing. I'm just going to take my time finding the best possibility of a good breed thats not so hard on the hens. Probably a VERY small guy.

Happy New Year All, and mdbucks, I'll see you on the road!

 

[gigglssmls]

My concern would be that if we close the coop door where will they go when they need to lay an egg? My hens spent all of the end of summer and all of fall outside all day and in the coop when sun went down....but NOW all of a sudden (for like 3 months) most of them will NOT leave the coop at all. Even if I force them out they run back in first chance they get. They DO trust me... they run up to me and want to be picked up... they snuggle me when they are on roost.... it is cute because they will reach forward in order that they can lay their heads on my shoulders and coo. But I KNOW they need the sun and they need to forage.... they need to be CHICKENS! I think they are afraid of my rooster because he is soooo big that he is to large for them and they run FROM him. I am worried I might have to get rid of him and I love so much.... makes me sad.

 

[cary 1973]

I say if there happy with thte way things are then let them be esp for there age. if your able to go into the run with them then do that and hang out give them treats and build a bond there and then if they feel comfy with you then they may follow you our of the run to freedome but at least you know as long as there in the run and coop they are safe.

Don't know how many chicks you want but may get a few babies hand raise them they will trust you and follow you around an maybe the older girls will take a cue from them

 

[sarahc8]

I am having the same problem right now! I got a Silkie and a duckling last summer, and didn't know how detrimental it would be for them to have to be inside all winter... (they weren't old enough to go out) I built their run a few days ago, and have been trying to coax them outside ever since... whoever says silkies can't fly is crazy... my rooster didn't want to go outside so badly he flew right past my ear....i was worried i'd give them heart attacks, so i've been trying with their favorite treat ever since (green beans)... hopefully with time!! i hear you about knowing how much happier they'd be foraging outside... i throw chunks of grass in and they just love it...