Outside they go? Need help

[MMAATC]

I put out chicks outside at about 6 weeks old they seem to be doing good but I went out tonight about 9:00 when the sun was almost down and the were all huddled together in the bottom part of the coop which is a run. The coop is up the ramp. Wondering why they did not go in for the night by themselves. I went out and made them go in. Is that what I should have done? Their food is outside on the ground in the coop run. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[sophiaw00]

I'm new to chicken raising, so not really that experienced but here's what I have to say on the subject. Young chicks don't automatically know to go to the coop by themselves at night, they are trained to do so as they get older, but you leading them inside at night with treats or food. So yes, you did the right thing. Keep doing that, but it might be helpful if you lure them in with food. You may also consider keeping another feeder inside the coop so that they have food at night as well.

 

[curious chickee]

For the first few nights, I feed mine treats in the coop at dusk and locked them in. By locking them in at dusk they learned to settle down and roost in the coop. By the third night they put themselves to bed in the coop.

 

[nappybutbald]

I'm learning!!!