Ok, how do you get them back in the coop!!!!

[Kmf]

LOL. I let my 10 girls out today for the first time since it is actually over 80 degrees today! They are 5 weeks old. I had to take them out of their coop and place them in the run because they have never been outside. How to I start training them to go back into the coop now? They have loved being outside today.

 

[valreegrl]

At first you may have to place them into the coop. Some people leave them in the coop for a couple days so they know what home is. But most times, after a few days of you putting them in by hand at dusk they get the idea.

My girls are like clock-work. At dusk the leader hops into the coop and the rest follow

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

Well if they are used to the coop, they should return to it when dark gets close as it is a place they consider home, or at least safe. A light on would help. I had to pick mine up and toss them thru the door one at a time the first day, but they had never been in the coop before. The second day most went on their own. Some still don't like to go in, a year later. One of them earned herself the name 'Stupid' because she would always try to sleep in our gazebo and now that we've moved, I think she is searching for it!
But even she goes in now, even ranging a whole acre. Coop is safe, coop has food. Most will simply do it because it makes sense.

 

[felidaet]

Turn a light on in the coop at dusk. The birds will go in. Turn the light off after they are all in and you have closed. After about a week you should no longer need the light. This worked great for me last year.

 

[Kmf]

Thanks for the quick responses! I thought that is what I would have to do. They have been brooding in the coop for over 2 weeks now, so hopefully it will be easy! Wish me luck trying to get them from under the coop (I am 7 1/2 months pregnant!!!) . They have been running around the whole run but like to go to the shade under the coop and run there when we enter the run.

 

[RL]

This how i get mine back into the coop at night. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRwNJxk8LrQ.

Not really. I have had no problems with mine going back into the coop at night by keeping them in the coop for 5 to 7 days or so. I tried leaving a light on in the coop once, but I didn't want them to get use to that. I would keep them in the coop awhile so they know it is home and a safe place, they will start to go in on their own, but not always when you want them too.

 

[Kittymomma]

If they get stubborn about wanting to stay underneath the coop just toss some scratch or other treat out for them. Most chooks will do most anything for a treat so you shouldn't have much of a problem.

 

[debilorrah]

We have a door from the coop to the ramp that goes down into the run. When they get cold enough they will go in.

 

[tuesdays chicks]

my 5 week old chicks went back in the coop when it got dark, Ive had them outside for under a week now. and just go outside when it gets dark to lock it up.

 

[chickflick]

Kmf...join us on the MI thread! You might find some friends from your area!! Looking forward to seeing you there.