When will they get it!!!!!!!!!!!! UPDATE

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hi

This is my first experience with chickens so knowing what to expect is something that I do not have
experience with.

Here is my delima. I have 16 BO chicks. They are 6 wks old now and have been
in the coop for over two weeks now.

I am putting them to bed every night, they are not going to bed on their own yet.
I put them up at about 9pm, they have a solar powered light in their
coop and water.

My question is... When will they get it?? When can I expect them to go to bed
on their own without me having to put them in the coop?

Any advice from those more experienced would be great.

Am I expecting too much from them too soon??

Here is a pic of my coop and latter, if it will be of a help.

Thanks

 

[jaimslee4u]

They must feel really safe because they usually will put themselves to bed around dusk. Have you seen them go up the ramp? I am assuming they are getting down on there own in the morning but perhaps it is too steep for there little feet.

 

[benjoycei]

now you know where the phrase 'bird brains' comes from

 

[they'reHISchickens]

If that is only a 2x4 ramp, I'd say it will take them longer to climb it than if it were as wide as the rungs. I'd bet they are not walking down it- they are flying down from the top. Yeah, they aren't that smart.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Some of them walk down the ramp in the morning and some of them choose
the air method.

They do however walk up the ramp during the day and stick their heads in the
coop but do not really go in. They know that it is there.

Will they get it??? or will I be putting the chickens to bed for months to come??

 

[jaimslee4u]

They should get it eventually! Your being a good chicken parent. Unless they are getting used to being spoiled

 

[earnhardtlvr]

Quote:
I am a newbie, so this is just my opinion...but I think it's because of the ramp. I have 28 chicks that have been in the coop since Memorial Day weekend and about day 6 they were going to bed by themselves. We did have to lay a wider and longer board/ramp for them to use. Here is a pic of our ramp. Obviously urs is going to b steeper, but I think if u would just use like a 2x6 they would have an easier time walking up that at night. Again, just my opinion.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Ok, Thanks.

I think that I may try a different kind of ramp and see if that makes any difference at all.

They do walk up it and can get into the coop but they just dont get the idea that they
need to do that when it gets dark, during the day it does not matter.

thanks again.

 

[CatDaddyAlbert]

A suggestion if I might....they might be using the ramp like it is....but are they all using it? I might suggest as another mentioned to widen the ramp to the width of the rungs.

Second, as this is a bit of work but I really spend a lot of time with my birds so I suggest at 9 or whenever get yourself a chair, grab a birdie, place him on the ramp and help him up. If he goes off start again. With you sitting right there if one or two go in and one starts back out....do not let it come out.

I am 64 as as my Grandfather told me....."One must practice Patience".

Good Luck

 

[CatDaddyAlbert]

One other thing I might add. The weather is good here in Delaware and like most others I have a VERY SECURE coop and pen area. I am on the Fire Department and sometimes if I go out on a call at night and come back they will be just laying on the ground. I really don't worry about it. Most go in, some stay out, more will stay out, a few will go in. If they have feed and water under cover from the rain, should it do that, they are set to go. I just kind of let them do what they want as long as I know they are safe!!!