New chickens - Getting them used to coop, advice?

[bren0990]

Yesterday we got ourselves two 7 month old Lohman hens and introduced them to our Garden Ark, which if you are not familiar with can be seen here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/948957/the-garden-ark-step-one-to-life-with-chickens

All they wanted to do all day was hang out on the outside roost, they wouldn't venture to the bottom of the coop or inside the hen house. I had their food hanging in the bottom but even when I put in a little ramp they wouldn't venture down. This morning they started investigating the hen house so I closed the door behind them to get them accustomed to it and put an extra food dish in there. The house is really too small for the hanging feeder. I also moved their water into the house with them. The coop itself is located right now in my detached garage until I get an outside space cleared with snow, we have been cleaning the coop regularly.

Is it normal for the hens to be afraid to hop down to the bottom of the coop, or do they just need a few day adjustment period to get used to their new home?

Thanks

 

[Ridgerunner]

As a general rule, chickens do not like change. While some are a lot more curious and bolder than others, it is pretty normal for them to take a few days to get used to something different. Be patient.

 

[bren0990]

Ok, thanks, is it a good idea to keep them "cooped up" for a day just to get them used to the new house?

 

[bren0990]

My biggest concern is that they wont get enough to eat or drink. I put their water in their house and put extra food in as well, I just would have expected them to hop down and dig into the big feeder.

 

[Ridgerunner]

It's usually a good idea to leave them locked in the coop for a few days so they get used to it as home. Otherwise they may take off looking for their old home if they can.