Hi everyone, We have 2 hens that are almost a year and a half and 3 girls that are about 5 months old. The three older ones refuse to go inside the coop at night on their own like the older two and I have to put them inside every single night. Any suggestions on getting them to learn to go inside on their own??? Help!
do you put them in the coop when it's dark out? Something you could try is taking a light out into the coop and placing the chickens in the coop to jump onto the roost by themselves. I had to teach my almost 4 month olds to sleep in the coop. I started by placing them on the roost at night for about a week and a half, then I took a a light into the coop after realizing they couldn't see to get on the roost themselves, and after that night they have been sleeping in the coop on their roosts without me having to do anything. What helped the most was letting them get up on the roost by themselves. They even thought the turkeys to roost with them. If I wasn't clear on something go ahead and ask and I'll try to explain better
How long have you had the 3 younger ones? How big is your coop (in feet be feet)? How long is your roost (again, in feet)?
Are the birds still trying to figure out the pecking order? I mean pecking and chasing? Just keep putting them in...They will figure it out.
Yea the older ones are still acting territorial but not really pecking the younger ones. I added some solar lights inside the run by the ramp and I am hoping they figure it out. Tonight they were posted up on the outside of the nesting boxes roosting on the edge. When I put them in should I put them on the ground by the ramp and let them walk in or open the door and put them inside myself?
Either way: Pick them up and place them on the roost. Is the run secure from predators? If so, I would just let them figure it out.