Not going into coop at night

[wmdurfee]

So my four girls are about 6 weeks old now and they have been outside for about a week and a half. Our coop design is an enclosed rectangle run with the coop on top and a ramp going from the ground up to the floor of the coop. (it is similar to this photo... the run is twice this size but the coop is the same) For some reason, they haven't quite figured out that they are supposed to go up into the coop after dark to sleep. Every night I go out there after dark and they are snuggled up together on the ground in the run and I have to pick each of them up and put them in the coop by hand. I know they know how to go up and down the ramp cause they play on it all day... but how do they learn that they go up there at night time? Once I put them in there they stay and sleep till morning... Maybe they just like to be tucked in by mom?

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Where do you keep the food at? It should be in the coop. If it is, maybe you are right and they just want to be tucked in.

 

[wmdurfee]

food and water? None outside?? interesting! thanks

 

[Wisher1000]

With my babies, I put a light in the coop (and the food and water.) Once it gets dusky dark outside, they don't want to go back down the ramp. The light can be on a timer so that it turns off 30 minutes to an hour after dark. Also, monitor the conditions inside to make sure it is comfortable as far as temperature, clean comfortable bedding and ventilation. If these things are all okay and they still don't go in, maybe offer treats inside just before dark to help them get used to going there on their own. Mine also like a low roost in a corner near the lamp. They'll catch on eventually if you just keep putting them in there.

 

[lsv313]

Did you try locking them in the coop for a few days? This is what we did with ours and it's worked every time. When we first move them outside to the coop, we lock them in it for 2-3 days. After that, we let them out into the run/yard during the day, and they have put themselves to bed every single night since. Keeping them locked in for a couple days helps them realize it's home.

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
Thats what I did too and it worked like a charm!