Tips for introducing 14 week old pullets to coop for the first time

[KarynVA]

It's too late now. It is what it is. I can stoop and do whatever needs to be done, or my kids can do it. The nice thing about the tractor style is, for a thorough cleaning of the run area, I just have to move the tractor a bit and I have entirely free access to sweep, shovel, hose down, etc. Refresh the litter, and shift the tractor back, or move it to wherever and do all that.

 

[aart]

I just have to move the tractor a bit and I have entirely free access to sweep, shovel, hose down, etc.

You can pick the whole thing up to lift above the deep litter?

Sometimes it will be on a concrete patio (with deep litter in the run)

How do I train 14 week old chickens to use the ramp? I guess just put scratch on the ramp to lead them to continue stepping upwards?

Works for me, but I also have easy access to said ramps.

 

[KarynVA]

" You can pick the whole thing up to lift above the deep litter? " Not by myself. Hey, it won't be pretty, but what about chicken keeping IS?

I just realized I can train them for the ramp by standing at the wide access door to the coop part and with the pop door open, I can hold out my hand with scratch and call them to come up for their treat. I think that will work fine. Maybe my daughter can also be inside the run, encouraging from the ground level.

 

[KarynVA]

I wanted to provide a follow up to this post in case anyone else has this question and wants to know how it worked out. I moved the 3 14-week old pullets into the coop 9 days ago. They were immediately very happy in the coop, making all kinds of happy contented chicken noises.

I kept them inside the enclosed coop part (with plenty of ventilation and shade) for 5 days without letting them into the run. They seemed perfectly happy in there. On the 5th day in the late afternoon, I opened the pop door and they immediately investigated the ramp. Just a few minutes later, they ventured down the ramp with no coaching from me. They happily enjoyed their run all evening. I was having dinner with my family and when I went back after dinner to see what they were up to, they had all gone inside (sun was nearly down) the coop on their own. Apparently, they got up the ramp just fine, also.

Since then, they have been in their run every day and have gone inside on their own at sundown each day. I love watching them go inside in the evening; it's so cool that they know to do that!