New chicks outside won't come back in

[Judy]

Catching them may be working against you, as it frightens them. You need to lure them in with treats if at all possible.

Many people keep them closed in the coop for several days when first put outside, to teach them this is home now. This might work for you even at this stage. I would try it at least for two nights and one day, myself. I'd probably turn the light off when I do it, assuming it gets good daylight in there.

 

[shanshan51]

Quote:
I had that prob so I put a light inside for a few nights off an extension cord. Then after a couple nights they learned and I removed the light and they continued to go inside now

 

[azygous]

You've admitted that not talking to them while in the brooder may have been a mistake. Well, it's not too late to tame them to come to you.

You need some powerful bait. I recommend worms or shredded cheese or canned tuna. As you offer them these delicacies, call to them - one word of your choosing, such as "chicks!" or "babies!"

Use the same word and same tone of voice every time. In just a few days, you'll have trained the entire herd of 65 to stampede to you for the perceived treat.

To get them into the coop, you need to call to them from inside. They will race inside if they believe you have the wonderful treats they get every time they hear you call them.

Food works where nothing else does. This is very useful training. You will have many occasions to want them to come to you so you don't need to chase them.

 

[bairo]

im surprised that no one said this. At 4 weeks old when first moving out of brooder you should always keep them on lock down in the coop for another week before letting them outside. This lets them identify "home", pick out their favorite sleeping spot, and basically just have a chance to get comfortable and settled in. Then when you let them out; do not force them. Just open the door and let them explore on their own. I guarantee when it gets dark and cool that they will head back to the coop (their security blanket) in a big hurry. You wont have to bribe them.

edit...sorry flock watcher, I see now that someone has suggested this.
I would say though to go for several days, even at this point. It can be pretty rough taking them off an 80 degree brooder and letting 40 degree air hit them over night. The temp in the coop will stay steadier and acclimate them better.

 

[groundpecker]

Start a late day feeding/snack, everyday to lure them back into the run/coop area. Eventually they will start going there on their own after a week or two.

 

[itsy]

X2 what azygous said.

Mealworms will lure ANY chicken!!!!!!!!!

One of my ladies comes to me when I call her. Her name is Nelly and I do it in my "high pitched girlie" voice. You know, the same that you use with cute puppies and babies. I reinforced the behavior by always having a treat. A couple of the other girls caught on, and now everyone comes when I call Nelly!

 

[jmtcmkb]

I'm surprised a light source doesnt work...good luck how frustrating.

 

[kjxoxo1]

Update..... The chicks can go in and out of the coop by themselves!!!! Yeah!!!! I think that we both were tired of each other cooped up in my home that when they came outside in the pen they love it!!!!! I have two feeders out there and had two waterers ( it's a 5 gallon Little Goant---I can't get the top off!!! Always something!!!)

I've started using a call as I feed them and I'm about to purchase some meal worm from amazon.com

Things are moving right al ong!!!! Thanks so much for all the responses!!!

 

[Barrdwing]

Oh, I hear you on those 5 gallon Little Giant waterers! We got one two summers ago and it worked great . . . until my husband put the lid on too tight one day and I couldn't get the fool thing off. For three months I refilled that big old waterer by laying it on its side and running a hose on trickle into the outflow--took forever. Finally we got the lid off again. Hubby has been very careful about how tightly he puts the lid on since then.

Glad to hear that the chicks have figured out how to go back into the coop at night! I had a similar problem with my last batch of youngsters. I have a battery-powered Coleman lantern that I hung out in the coop; it solved the problem fairly well. It's also been useful to prevent them from piling during those first few weeks. I love that lantern, although my neighbors chuckle into their sleeves about the crazy lady giving her chickens a night-light again.