One chick hasn't learned to go back in the coop at dark...

[tpatricco]

Our first flock, 6 chicks - 5-8 weeks old have been in the coop/run for over a week now. We've disabled our automatic door until they learn to go in on their own.

First few nights we've helped them in, put their food and water in with them for the overnight, let them back out manually first thing in the morning.

As of the last two nights, 5 out of 6 go in on their own. One chick (one of the older ones too) can't seem to figure it out. This also happens to be the chick that had a respiratory infection/issues - she's doing much better after the antibiotics. We did help clean her eyes out a few times with a well saturated cotton ball with saline - I don't think we would have hurt her vision in any way from that.

Thoughts how how to get her caught up to the others? I'd really like to start using the auto door for the mornings, even if I set it to close at a particularly late time in the evening to ensure nobody gets stuck out in the (secure) run alone.

Also, when is it reasonable to only feed and water in the run, not put in the coop at night for them?

 

[Shorty22366]

I have 3 little hens that won't go in their coop at night. They just like the extra attention. She may have some sight problems. I feed and water them in coop until they go out into the run. Mine go out in the run at 3-4 weeks depending on weather.

 

[tpatricco]

I have 3 little hens that won't go in their coop at night. They just like the extra attention. She may have some sight problems. I feed and water them in coop until they go out into the run. Mine go out in the run at 3-4 weeks depending on weather.

Thanks. The poor girl peeps like mad once she realizes she's alone. We're thinking she can't see to find her way back in. You'd think she would follow the others when they go....but obviously not so far. Saturday night we got home around 9pm and everyone was in the coop cuddled up and this poor girl had gone in the corner of the run in the frame up against the wire as far from the coop as she could get **facepalm** When we got home and went to check on them I had to get her and put her in. Last night when I went to check on them around 7:45 all were in and she was standing up on a log in the run peeping like mad like "where did everybody go???"

I guess we'll just keep showing her the way until she (hopefully) learns.

 

[chrissynemetz]

As long as the coop isn't overcrowded she should figure it out within a week or so. Keep putting her in at night and before long she should follow everyone else to bed in the evenings.
But... chicks don't want to sleep in a coop that's too crowded or lacks good ventilation. I learned this from experience lol

 

[tpatricco]

As long as the coop isn't overcrowded she should figure it out within a week or so. Keep putting her in at night and before long she should follow everyone else to bed in the evenings.
But... chicks don't want to sleep in a coop that's too crowded or lacks good ventilation. I learned this from experience lol

Thanks! I think maybe she's just a slow learner. She's a Salmon Faverolle - been reading some reviews on the breed. Seems they're not the brightest.

Their coop is pretty posh. 6 chickens, 6x6 coop...brand new.

Coop

• tpatricco
• May 14, 2019
• 3

6x6 Quaker High Side Coop with 10' run combo unit. Custom built by Horizon Structures

 

[so lucky]

Is it possible that she can't see in the darkening light as well as her sisters? How about putting a lit flashlight in the coop in the evenings, to create a little light for her to go to? I'm picturing a small flash light with a tab on the end, to hang it by, hung by a short piece of twine.

 

[tpatricco]

Is it possible that she can't see in the darkening light as well as her sisters? How about putting a lit flashlight in the coop in the evenings, to create a little light for her to go to? I'm picturing a small flash light with a tab on the end, to hang it by, hung by a short piece of twine.

Good idea. I had been trying to remember to go out and turn the light on in the coop so they'd come in, and then have been leaving the light on for 10-15 minutes after they're all in (we had been putting them in for the first few days) and once they seemed settled I'd shut it off. I'll try to be more on top of it for the next few days and see if it helps her figure it out better.

 

[trudyg]

I tried one of the LED lanterns that are battery powered but it didn't work. I had to keep going out, under the coop, scoop up the dummy and put him in the coop. Then, all of a sudden, he went in on his own and hasn't had a problem since. Sometimes it takes time.

 

[tpatricco]

Update: Last night we proactively turned the coop light on before it started getting dark. When I went out to check at twilight EVERYONE had found their way inside! So, I guess we'll do the light training for a week or so and then try without it and see if they've all got it down by then. Yay!

 

[trudyg]

Good idea, they'll learn and then you're okay.