I'm a chicken-newbie and will be putting the finishing touches on my small coop/run tomorrow. I put my 3 chicks (6 weeks old) into the run for a couple of hours today and will do the same tomorrow. I'll probably move them into their new digs permanently on Thursday as they are getting too big for their brooder area. I've added an automatic coop door and want to train them to get into the coop into the evenings before the door closes as dusk.
Any suggestions on how to get them oriented to enter the coop in the evenings?
Also, I've read here that the nest boxes should be blocked off until they start laying so that the chicks don't get used to using that area for general coop activities. Any other suggestions for transitioning young chickens to a coop/run environment?
Thanks in advance.
Any suggestions on how to get them oriented to enter the coop in the evenings?
Also, I've read here that the nest boxes should be blocked off until they start laying so that the chicks don't get used to using that area for general coop activities. Any other suggestions for transitioning young chickens to a coop/run environment?
Thanks in advance.