Was this stupid???

[armstrng32]

We put our 7-8 week old chicks outside for the 1st time today in their coop/run. The weather is still pretty chilly here, but 2 of the 4 ventured down the ramp and seemed o.k., pecking around a bit or standing next to each other. The temperature tonight dropped to about 40 degrees by sunset. We waited until 9pm, but they hadn't gone back up to the coop. One of them had made the trip down the ladder and back, so it seems she would know how to get up there again. I thought chickens instinctively knew to go to the coop at night. I was worried they were too cold to get back up where the heat lamp was, so (here comes the possibly stupid part), at my request, my Husband lifted up the coop/run so I could reach in, grab a chick, and stick her back in the coop. It took 5 tries to catch them both, and almost gave my Husband a hernia. He said coop-lifting is not going to be our nightly event. So...any advice for tomorrow night???

In case you couldn't tell, this is our 1st ever experience with chickens.

Thank you!

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Lock the chicks in the coop for a couple weeks - That will teach them that coop is home, and they will return to it every night.

 

[red horse ranch]

We put our 7-8 week old chicks outside for the 1st time today in their coop/run. The weather is still pretty chilly here, but 2 of the 4 ventured down the ramp and seemed o.k., pecking around a bit or standing next to each other. The temperature tonight dropped to about 40 degrees by sunset. We waited until 9pm, but they hadn't gone back up to the coop. One of them had made the trip down the ladder and back, so it seems she would know how to get up there again. I thought chickens instinctively knew to go to the coop at night. I was worried they were too cold to get back up where the heat lamp was, so (here comes the possibly stupid part), at my request, my Husband lifted up the coop/run so I could reach in, grab a chick, and stick her back in the coop. It took 5 tries to catch them both, and almost gave my Husband a hernia. He said coop-lifting is not going to be our nightly event. So...any advice for tomorrow night???

In case you couldn't tell, this is our 1st ever experience with chickens.

Thank you!

I've found that it takes a few days to train them to go back in at night. You will have to guide them in before dark the first few times they are
allowed out. After that they should be fine. I usually get my young ones in by shaking the scratch can and they will all race inside to get their treat.