Success!!

[3chickchicks]

My 7 week old chicks put themselves in their coop last night! I brought them home on Tuesday, last night was Thursday. They stay in their run during the day due to the 100+ temps outside so they can get a breeze.
I put their feed in the coop and a 40 watt lamp (kind of like a small brooder lamp from walmart). It has a clamp which I just clamped to one of the cross beams in the coop. I turned it on at about 4pm and turned it off after it went dark. They took a nice dust bath together and when I went to check on them when it was getting dark, they were all inside the coop enjoying their feed.
I wonder if they would have stayed up all night had I left the light on?

That certainly makes things easier since I have to work a few night shifts this week. DH is having surgery so he'll be able to manage turning a light on and off. I was worried about whether or not they'd still need to be shoo'd into the coop at night.

Success!!

Maybe in a few days I can start to let them go for walkabouts in the yard.

 

[Rich386]

A lot of people think that they have to train them to do what comes naturally. They know where home is and at bed time they will tuck themselves in.

 

[Den in Penn]

Yes they would have stayed up all night, but turn if off they need their sleep too.

 

[3chickchicks]

A lot of people think that they have to train them to do what comes naturally. They know where home is and at bed time they will tuck themselves in.

It wasn't coming natural to them, lol! They needed some encouragement. They were in the run at night and nervous.

 

[Rich386]

Quote: I agree but you have to keep in mind that everything is new to them and there is a learning curve.