What's in the Box?

[Sunny 44123]

Going to move the girls(5) from the bathtub to their new coop outside as the temperatures are warming up.. The run is quite big, but the closed coop for night-time is a bit limited in space. There are 2 roosting bars and 2 laying boxes. I've read about a night light to draw them up the ramp and into the coop each evening, but do I need anything else?
Do any of you leave crumbles? Should they have water all night? I am a nervous new Mom...

 

[HandsomeRyan]

If their food and water is inside the coop chances are good that they will just go right in without need for treats, lights or any other incentive.

 

[mikeharold]

Mine had to spend a couple of weeks in the coop before I was able to finish the run so it bacame home. The first day out in the run they were out right till dark then right on que they all headed in. I had read that leaving them in the coop for a while first helps and it sure seemed to work for mine. Just my very limited experience, YMMV.

 

[mrealm]

I had recently moved my chickens to their outside coop. Fortunately they have quite a big of room in the coop and I left them in the coop for a week before letting them out into the run. When they were allowed to go out into the run they would explore slowly by taking a few steps and then running back into the coop (where they felt secure). I leave their food in the coop and have water both in the coop and run. They run into the coop just around dusk, have a big snack and drink then jump on up to the perches without any issues.

 

[HandsomeRyan]

I guess I missed your last questions. My chickens have food and water available 24/7 although they sleep so I don't think they actually eat or drink at night.

Not that there is anything wrong with locking the chickens in the coop for days at a time to get them to think it is home but in most cases that isn't necessary. Most chickens will do fine if you put them in the coop for a few hours until they are comfortable there then let them out.