This chick has new chicks!

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Carowii

In the Brooder
May 8, 2023
3
40
36
My name is Carol and now raising chickens in Virginia; first time chicken owner and loving them! I have 4 Welsummer and 2Ameracauna females, 6 weeks old. I will be getting 4 Leghorn females in November.
I moved chicks 2 days ago into coop and today opened the run. They gradually found their way down a ramp from the elevated coop into the run area. I am looking for advice on training chicks to return to coop. They enjoyed playing and eating all day in the run area, then they laid down underneath the run. I had to catch them to return them to coop. It was painful how scared they were of me when I picked them up. They are used to my voice but run when I try to handle them. Will they learn to love me back and find their way independently up the run ramps into the elevated coop? I also have never left them in the dark… always had a heat lamp or light. How should they be acclimated to the dark or should I continue to give them a light? I tried a night light and they gathered closed to it as if scared of darkness around them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Best regards and looking forward to participating in the forums. Thank you for being here!
 
:frow Welcome from New Orleans.
We train our chicks the same way we trained cats. Pick a fairly easy call or whistle and their favorite treat. They only get the treat when they come to the whistle/call. Be patient, they will catch on. Also, I would get rid of the light, unless it is needed for heat. Chickens see very poorly in the dark and usually fall asleep quickly in the dark. Continue to place the chicks that won't come on the roosting pole, but no treat if you have to catch them and place them on the roosting pole, treats for chicks who come to the call and go up the ramp. If you want additional info or have questions, please contact me. Good luck
 
Carowii said:
My name is Carol and now raising chickens in Virginia; first time chicken owner and loving them! I have 4 Welsummer and 2Ameracauna females, 6 weeks old. I will be getting 4 Leghorn females in November.
I moved chicks 2 days ago into coop and today opened the run. They gradually found their way down a ramp from the elevated coop into the run area. I am looking for advice on training chicks to return to coop. They enjoyed playing and eating all day in the run area, then they laid down underneath the run. I had to catch them to return them to coop. It was painful how scared they were of me when I picked them up. They are used to my voice but run when I try to handle them. Will they learn to love me back and find their way independently up the run ramps into the elevated coop? I also have never left them in the dark… always had a heat lamp or light. How should they be acclimated to the dark or should I continue to give them a light? I tried a night light and they gathered closed to it as if scared of darkness around them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Best regards and looking forward to participating in the forums. Thank you for being here!
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Welcome to BYC!!
 

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