Why Won't My Chickens Leave The Barn???

[dc7603]

Hello all... I've got 18 layers and 2 roosters that are 8 weeks old and recently graduated to a coop I constructed in the barn. Last week I opened up their enclosure so they could go outside and they all stay in the barn all the time. Everyday this week, I've opened the barn up and they come out of the coop but just walk around in the barn all day instead of heading out to the grass. I'm cornfused. I thought they would run out at their first opportunity but I was wrong. Is this normal?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Sounds like their chicken!

They'll soon 'get it' and you'll eventually be wishing they'd stay closer to the barn... Seriously, once they get familiar with area and start depleting the bugs they'll be grassing in ever widening circles come fall.

 

[Judy]

I agree, they'll go out in their own time. My younger chicks take a while to leave the coop, too. I'd let them explore on their own schedule.

 

[FarmCoe]

Just leave them alone and they will get it

 

[wowmanacat]

Mine were slow at leaving the coop/run once I let them out to free range, now they are everywhere, At least I don't has as many ticks.