Trouble bringing chickens back to coop

[15wayamb]

I have 13 lovely girls that I keep in a very nicely sized coop for most of the day. Around 3pm every day, rain or shine, I let them out to forage for about an hour. I would let them Forage all day if I could but the property owners do not want them to be completely free ranging, and do not want to build a fenced around for them. After an hour or so of cleaning the coop, maintance, filling their feed and water etc, I ring a bell hoping they will eventually realize that’s the time to come back into the coop for food and treats (watermelon, bread, mealworms, etc). Typically 9 out of the 13 come in on their own, but there are always a free that refuse to come back. I feel silly chasing them around but I can’t just leave them outside the coop until they decide on their own. Any tips???

 

[BabasCoop]

Maybe move their foraging time to about an hour before dusk. With the sun going down they should naturally return to the coop. With or without a bell.

 

[WindingRoad]

I have 13 lovely girls that I keep in a very nicely sized coop for most of the day. Around 3pm every day, rain or shine, I let them out to forage for about an hour. I would let them Forage all day if I could but the property owners do not want them to be completely free ranging, and do not want to build a fenced around for them. After an hour or so of cleaning the coop, maintance, filling their feed and water etc, I ring a bell hoping they will eventually realize that’s the time to come back into the coop for food and treats (watermelon, bread, mealworms, etc). Typically 9 out of the 13 come in on their own, but there are always a free that refuse to come back. I feel silly chasing them around but I can’t just leave them outside the coop until they decide on their own. Any tips???

I have a stick. I don't hit my birds I just tap the ground behind them. And I use a high pitched voice. Let's go to the COOOOOOOOOPPPP. Chickens,once you get in front of them, herd better than cows. IMHO They get the idea. I have also taught them not to come out when I enter the coop if I don't feel like chasing them. When I open that entry door wide and lock it open they know it's the signal to come out to free range for awhile. I also keep them in by saying loudly BACK BACK.. They have learnt that also.
The property owners don't want a fence? So they want poop everywhere. Curios.

 

[15wayamb]

I have a stick. I don't hit my birds I just tap the ground behind them. And I use a high pitched voice. Let's go to the COOOOOOOOOPPPP. Chickens,once you get in front of them, herd better than cows. IMHO They get the idea. I have also taught them not to come out when I enter the coop if I don't feel like chasing them. When I open that entry door wide and lock it open they know it's the signal to come out to free range for awhile. I also keep them in by saying loudly BACK BACK.. They have learnt that also.
The property owners don't want a fence? So they want poop everywhere. Curios.

I will try that today, see if a stick might help round em up better. Making sure they STAY in the coop is also a great idea because they definitley sprint out as soon as the door opens. We made the coop so that it’s easily movable, therefore building a fenced in area wouldn’t make sense since we have moved the coop twice now.

 

[WindingRoad]

I will try that today, see if a stick might help round em up better. Making sure they STAY in the coop is also a great idea because they definitley sprint out as soon as the door opens. We made the coop so that it’s easily movable, therefore building a fenced in area wouldn’t make sense since we have moved the coop twice now.

IMHO one hour/day is not enough to be out of the coop. Being cooped up like that can lead to bad behaviors, like bullying, egg eating, boredom, poor egg count numbers, etc. Just saying. You might want to check your local ordinance. Some require a fenced in area.

 

[WindingRoad]

Maybe move their foraging time to about an hour before dusk. With the sun going down they should naturally return to the coop. With or without a bell.

This is a great idea too.

 

[3KillerBs]

What about using that portable electric net fencing to keep them from going too far?

Or making some other sort of portable pen?

 

[aart]

Being cooped up like that can lead to bad behaviors, like bullying, egg eating, boredom, poor egg count numbers, etc.

Depends on the size of the coop.
Mine spends days in coop during bad winter weather.