New to us chickens won't go out of coop???

[encoreman]

Hi all, yesterday evening I bought 6 red sex-link hens and brought them home to our coop. This is a new coop never before used. They were on the roost at their previous home when I came to get them. Last night none went to the roosts, but 1 spent some time in the nest. This morning I waited until about 6:30 and they were all awake so I opened up the pop door which has a ramp leading into the run. I tried coaxing them out and finally caught 1 and placed her outside on the ramp and she came back in. Should I just let them go out when they get good and ready or what. Perplexed in Tennessee. Thanks Mac

 

[Pork Pie]

I'm sure that they are just a little confused and timid at the moment. Chickens don't generally respond very well to change and moving to a new home is one heck of a change for them. Putting feed and water in the run may tempt them, but they will get the idea pretty soon, so i would just leave them to it.

CT

 

[Spartan22]

Their just acclimating to their new surroundings, just throw some treats in the run, pieces of bread or scratch/ greens. They are probably not even used to you yet. They will eventually( few hours or few days) will relax and do what chickens do. Just make sure they have plenty of clean water and food.

 

[encoreman]

Thanks for the replies, we had chickens when I was a kid, but that was a half century ago. I gave them some cabbage leaves and they sort of pecked at it, I don't know if they were used to treats or not as the guy I got them from had 150+ chickens. I made sure they had food and water in place. We will wait and see, they need to enjoy the warm weather while we have it.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Chickens are prey animals, so they are naturally cautious. Give them some time and they will venture outside. If they were never outside in their prior home, then it will take much longer for them to venture outside. You can try luring them out for treats.

 

[Caleb999]

I agree. Chickens are timid, and take time to adjust. My chickens did the same thing at first. By the end of a week, they were always pecking at their door to get let out in the morning.