Training them to roost

[Crazy4cochins]

Sorry I forgot to tell ya, I would keep the feed and waterer in the same spot in the coop if you can so they know where it is, when I put my brooder cage in the coop and moved the big ones food, I thought they'd go over and feed and I guess I don't have smart ones becuase they acted as if I had starved them when I finally set it outside.lol.
Soo just a little tip I learned

 

[citrusdreams]

I used to keep water in the coop, but they would spill it and the shavings would get wet and stink to high heaven

I keep their food in the coop, and their water in the run.

As for training them to roost, I've never had to. Mine have always eventually roosted. I think it's natural for them to roost, so eventually they will do so on their own.

 

[medicmandan]

I was just doing a search for this very thing. Mine are between 2 and 3 months old and they won't roost on the rather fancy roosting contraption I built for them. They always sleep in the shavings.

I copied this design and they haven't been on it once:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=91143

 

[Crazy4cochins]

Sorry to say but mine are now all roosting where they want.
Some on the roosts , some in the nesting boxes and my two tinyiest ones sleep up above the door. a few sleep on top of a dog kennel.

Try putting some on your contraption right at night time and then they will catch on.
Good luck

 

[Uppity Peon]

Since my earlier post in this thread my girls have started hopping up inside at dusk. They caught on is just a few days.

Now I come out in the evening, lock the doors and take the feeders away to discourage rodents.

First thing in the morning I come out with fresh clean food, set it out and unlock the doors. Now instead of getting mobbed at feeding time, I get a chance to put the food down in peace.

 

[Crazy4cochins]

great news

 

[goddesses]

hI!

They are great self trainers relative to roosting, if they can see. If you leave the food and water inside, be sure to put water outside as well - they are big water drinkers and get thirsty quickly - too little water and they could go into a molt or perish! We put a dog bowl outside - that's good enough.

Mother Henn

 

[norcalchicks]

We are going on 10 days with the new coop and run...they still huddle up at night in the run and then I put them to bed in the henhouse by hand each night.

Hope this doesn't last for long...I would rather just keep the water and food out in the run if possible...will they learn without me putting their food in the henhouse, or am I just wasting my time?

Glad to know we are not alone in this...

They do roost on several of the perches and go in and out of the henhouse throughout the day, so I think they are "starting" to get it...

They are almost 4 weeks old...am I expecting too much?

 

[medicmandan]

Mine have been out in the coop almost a month now. About 30 minutes before dark they are all huddled up in the back of the coop (under the roost).

Glad I don't have to put them in each night. Am going to try sitting with them one evening until they fall asleep and move them up to the roost.

 

[tamiduncan]

I'm SO glad to find these topics here! That's exactly my problem...getting my lil' chick-chicks to go to bed at night. They're 2 months old or so...have been outside for almost a month now. I moved them in their "box condo" at first, then to their coop. On the way, I moved their box condo NEAR their coop so they'd get the idea of the coop. Well...it's been all this time and yet they huddle up on my patio where their box was orginally! They come out of their coop during the day just fine...I keep the food/water in there day and night. They were locked up in their coop for 3 days in a row (we were out of town...they have a small run in their coop as well). I thought that would be their turning point about knowing where their home was. But, silly me for thinking! I did read about adding a light at night...I might try that to see if it helps. They do go in and out of the coop during the day at will...so it must not be all that bad. It's not completely finished, so it might be a bit drafty, but not more drafty than their box was...I'm just totally perplexed at this point. I sure don't want to spend my next years putting my chickens to bed every night. (UGH!!)

Thanks for any imput you have.

Tami