Not returning to the new coop

[careeka22]

Hi,

I have 3 hens that are just over a year old. We decided to get them a really nice big coop but due to it's size we couldn't put it where the old one was. The old one was at the bottom of a hill on one side of our yard and this one is on the other side. Whenever I let them free range they go back to the old coop side. We even moved the old coop itself to where the new one is and they still do it. They end up perching together on my AC unit and I have to grab all 3 of them and put them back in the new one. Is this ever going to change? I love these girls, they are our pets but it's getting a bit frustrating plus dangerous for them because they don't seem to know where to go for protection. We are going to be getting new chicks in the near future and my husband is concerned the new chicks will follow them over there. He is talking about re-homing them but to me that is last resort because we love them. Any tips or ideas please? It's been over a month now. (I should add the new coop does not have a run).

 

[Ridgerunner]

A month? Wow! They should have made the switch by now if you’ve been pretty consistent about moving them over every night. Sometimes they catch on pretty quickly, but I’ve never had it take more than three weeks. Just goes to show every situation is different. At some point they should catch on if you move them every night but I have no idea how much longer that will take.

I don’t know how big that new coop is but even without a run it should be plenty big enough to lock those three hens in there for a week or so. Don’t give them the option to go back to the other side until you break their habit of sleeping over there.

Where are they laying if they are this time of the year? Locking them in the new coop could help adjust where they lay if they are. Getting them to use the nests in the new coop is often harder that getting them to sleep there.

You said you have moved the old coop to the new location and that you will be getting chicks. You do not currently have a run over there. I’d suggest you consider building a run over there that has access from both coops. Since you free range it doesn’t have to be one of those expensive ones that will stop any possible predator, its purpose would be to keep the chickens locked up. Even a chicken wire run will give some protection but the big advantage is that it gives you flexibility in managing situations like you have now. My set-up is somewhat like that though my run is pretty predator resistant. I have a chicken wire internal fence so I can isolate a section of that run with each coop. Something like this could come in very handy since you are going to be integrating. Or if you ever need to isolate an injured chicken. Or for many other things that might come up, like this.

I’m a huge believer in flexibility. It makes keeping chickens so much easier. Your new coop is probably big enough to beak this habit by leaving them locked in it for a week or so but you’d probably feel better if they could get outside into a run like this. I think your comfort and convenience are hugely important.

Good luck!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I would lock them up for about a week to reprogram where home is.

gary

 

[kesrchicky16]

Is there any way for you to put a temporary run around the entrance to the new coop to keep them by it for a few days?

Do they come when you call them? Could you go out an hour before dusk and call them and lock them in the new coop before bedtime so they have to sleep there at least for a few days or a week to help them get used to it.

Do you have extra special treats you could give them inside the new coop to temp them to like it better then the old location?

Those would be my suggestions in order of best shot to could work.

Also I don't the new chickens would follow them. Chickens aren't so extremely flock oriented. If the new chickens feel safe in the new coop they will probably think the old chickens are just crazy.

 

[careeka22]

I would lock them up for about a week to reprogram where home is.

gary

A month? Wow! They should have made the switch by now if you’ve been pretty consistent about moving them over every night. Sometimes they catch on pretty quickly, but I’ve never had it take more than three weeks. Just goes to show every situation is different. At some point they should catch on if you move them every night but I have no idea how much longer that will take.

I don’t know how big that new coop is but even without a run it should be plenty big enough to lock those three hens in there for a week or so. Don’t give them the option to go back to the other side until you break their habit of sleeping over there.

Where are they laying if they are this time of the year? Locking them in the new coop could help adjust where they lay if they are. Getting them to use the nests in the new coop is often harder that getting them to sleep there.

You said you have moved the old coop to the new location and that you will be getting chicks. You do not currently have a run over there. I’d suggest you consider building a run over there that has access from both coops. Since you free range it doesn’t have to be one of those expensive ones that will stop any possible predator, its purpose would be to keep the chickens locked up. Even a chicken wire run will give some protection but the big advantage is that it gives you flexibility in managing situations like you have now. My set-up is somewhat like that though my run is pretty predator resistant. I have a chicken wire internal fence so I can isolate a section of that run with each coop. Something like this could come in very handy since you are going to be integrating. Or if you ever need to isolate an injured chicken. Or for many other things that might come up, like this.

I’m a huge believer in flexibility. It makes keeping chickens so much easier. Your new coop is probably big enough to beak this habit by leaving them locked in it for a week or so but you’d probably feel better if they could get outside into a run like this. I think your comfort and convenience are hugely important.

Good luck!

Is there any way for you to put a temporary run around the entrance to the new coop to keep them by it for a few days?

Do they come when you call them? Could you go out an hour before dusk and call them and lock them in the new coop before bedtime so they have to sleep there at least for a few days or a week to help them get used to it.

Do you have extra special treats you could give them inside the new coop to temp them to like it better then the old location?

Those would be my suggestions in order of best shot to could work.

Also I don't the new chickens would follow them. Chickens aren't so extremely flock oriented. If the new chickens feel safe in the new coop they will probably think the old chickens are just crazy.

Thank you all! I actually had them locked in there for a week, mainly because it was freezing and raining but also to try and get them used to it. It's a big coop, built to hold like 18 hens. (pic attached) they have fresh food and water inside. They have stopped laying completely, they were molting and I guess with the change and winter that's why? We are in VA and it hasn't been unbearably cold or anything but chilly. I'm actually about to build a small run off it with some extra chicken wire I have, hopefully that will help! I'm not sure how else I can keep them from going to the other side because the yard is so open but I'll try. They do come usually when I call and are very docile which at least makes moving them easy.

 

[aart]

I would lock them up again, this time for longer.
When do they new chicks arrive and what is your plan for integration??

 

[careeka22]

I would lock them up again, this time for longer.
When do they new chicks arrive and what is your plan for integration??

They have been locked up more than they have been out but I'll keep them in longer again in hopes it helps.

I was thinking about getting some soon but it may not be until spring now. My idea is to keep them in the brooder until big enough to go outside and they will be in the old coop where the older girls can see them and get a feel. When they are big enough I'll do some supervised meet and greets. I want to then integrate them into the new coop because I want them to know that is home. I could even put a screen divider down the middle of it if necessary.

 

[aart]

I could even put a screen divider down the middle of it if necessary.

That's good idea....and if you have power in the coop, you can brood them there and integrate faster/younger/easier.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[careeka22]

That's good idea....and if you have power in the coop, you can brood them there and integrate faster/younger/easier.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

I wish I had power. I mean I could run an extension cord from the garage but that just makes me too nervous. My friend lost her entire brooder coop from a fire from the heat lamp. Lost all the chicks and ducklings too. The coop is very well insulated so once they are more feathered I think I'll do that, put them on one side and the big girls on the other where they can still go out and in. Thanks!

 

[aart]

I wish I had power. I mean I could run an extension cord from the garage but that just makes me too nervous. My friend lost her entire brooder coop from a fire from the heat lamp.

I use an extension cord, 100' heavy duty, outdoor rated, plugged into an outdoor GFCI receptacle. But I don't use a heat lamp in the coop, I use this for brooder heat.
You've got all winter to plan and build the safe area, make sure you have easy access to tend to the chicks in the safe area.