Teaching hens to coop at night

[Squeakermama1]

Hi. I'm a new chicken owner. I have two Rhode Island Red hens that are about 5 months old. I have them cooped in my backyard and would like for them to be free range in a fenced in area out back during the day and then have them cooped at night. Any suggestions on how to get them into the habit of getting into the coop towards the end of the day?
Also how long should I keep them cooped before letting them roam free in the fenced in area?
Thank you for your help,
Chicken Fred

 

[Dar]

Hi Fred...
Mine just did it on thier own...one day they flew/hopped over the fence in my run and I was freeking ..how am i going to get them back in...so I left the main door open at at about dusk I went to check on them and here they were all huddled into one corner of the coop...it was about 2 weeks after that I noticed that they had started to ust the roost/perch at night...from what I have been told it is instinct

 

[The Chicken Lady]

You could always make a bedtime snack part of your daily routine with them. Get them to expect to head to the coop for a little something special every night.

By the way, welcome to BackYard Chickens! I noticed that your e-mail address is part of your username; if you'd like more privacy, you can contact a mod and have the "@gmail.com" removed. If that's the way you want it, though, no worries...

See you around the forum!

 

[kinardmommy]

If it will be safe to leave them in the coop for two or three days that is a good way to teach them. By safe I am talking about the temperature. As long as they will not get overheated in the coop during the day. After a few days when you let them out they will put themselves up right before dark. If you let them out after a few days and they do not put themselves up then do the process over again.

 

[Alaskan]

I locked my chicks up in the coop (no outside at all) for about a week before I let them in their run.

But they were still pretty young, and the weather was horrid.

 

[cjeanean]

mine didn't figure it out until I put them in the coop at night. They would huddle up on the ground next to the door, so for a few days straight I had to pick them up and put them in. Also, when it came time for them to roost, I had to place them on the roost for a few nights until they figured it out on their own. Good luck, and

 

[Daycare Mom]

Treats are a great way to get them back in. You will also probably have to put them in the first few nights. After that they will just do it themselves.

 

[Squeakermama1]

Thank you so much for all the information
I LOVE this site! It's helped me gain the insight needed to get things started over here with my girls.
I'm a Chicken Fred for sure!