tips on introducing chicks to the coop

[keekerschickens]

What is the recommendation for introducing chicks to their coop and run? Our coop should be done by the time they are 5-6 weeks old. I read somewhere to keep them in the coop for a while until they learn that it is their home (no access to the run at first) Is this true?

 

[Chick Charm]

I believe that is a great method to teaching them where home is. 3 days in a coop tends to hone the beacon for home, so to speak.

There are different approaches but the one you mentioned has worked for us since, well, forever it seems.

Wish ha the best.

 

[GuppyTJ]

Yup, lock them in the coop for several days. I followed the recommendation of others here and locked my first set of chickens in the coop for 7 days to be sure. I free range (no run, no fence of any kind, secure coop at night) so I really needed to have them return to the coop at night so I can lock them in safely at night. I have a pretty large coop (14' x 20' walk in coop) so locking them in that long, they still had plenty of space.

But... since doing this, I've never had a problem ever. They all go in faithfully every night. I've since had broody hens raise 4 batches of baby chicks and the babies all have grown up knowing the coop is where they go at night.

Hope this helps,
Guppy

 

[keekerschickens]

Thank you! Now that I know this method works I won't feel bad locking them in haha! fingers crossed

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree with them. Your coop should be bigger than the brooder anyway so they will have a lot of fun exploring all that extra space. Leaving them locked in there is not cruel at all. It’s exciting and fun for them.

You may enjoy watching them when you do open the run to them. Some of mine are all in the run within fifteen minutes of me first opening the pop door. Other broods may have the more adventurous stand by the pop door looking out but with none of them going into the run for a couple of days. Eventually one brave soul will go into the run, often not for long at first, but after one does it the rest soon follow. It can be hilarious watching them build up their courage to go into the great unknown. Be patient, they will eventually make it.

Chick TV is more fun than any cable or satellite channel.