Sleeping in run not coop?

[Quinsmomma]

Hoping for some advice - I have 10 barred rock and RIR chicks that are 6 weeks old. Last night was their first full night in their new coop except no one actually went into the coop! All 10 stayed out in their enclosed run. It's predator proof and there is no flap or cover over the door between the run and the coop. I think they may have been afraid of the gangplank as none of them will walk up or down it yet. My question is: how do I get them in to sleep at night? Do I even need to or will they eventually figure it out? Thanks in advance.

 

[LaynaDon95]

I would lure them in with feed in the evening and lock them up. They may or may not ever decide to do it on their own, so it's better to teach them to do it now. It'll be easier when they're younger.

 

[GrandmaChickie]

Not sure this is feasible for your number of chickens, but we picked ours up and threw them in every night, until they decided to spare themselves the indignity and started going in on their own. Didn't take long--mostly I think because the roost inside the hen-house gave them a sense of security.

 

[Raskal311]

It took my five assorted(Two RIR) about two weeks before they would go in the coop to sleep at night.

 

[Quinsmomma]

Thanks guys. I guess if they had a mamma hen she would teach them where to sleep - so putting them inside myself for awhile makes sense. Now to create a makeshift door to keep them in there until they learn to stay put