Will they ever learn???

[logansmommy7]

To go into their coop? We got 6-8 week old chicks a while back and they always perch up on the top of the coop every night, meaning we have to go out and physically catch them and put them in every night. All of the others go in and go to bed on their own. Is there a way to teach them?

 

[The Zoo]

I had a similar issue with my two new chicks. I had to put them in the coop every night and eventually they learned to go in on their own - it was a cause for celebration! All it will take is one doing it and they'll all get it eventually. I think it took mine several days before they figured it out. Was harder since I have two older hens who didn't enjoy sharing their space.

 

[logansmommy7]

Mine have been doing this for weeks now. Is there any hope?? How do we teach them? It has been over a month now. I just really hate to (and I won't) leave them out there as sitting ducks. I mean, we have a really secure run with only a few places where a coon or something could climb up and get in, but I don't want anything to happen to them. HELP!

 

[cmom]

I shut mine in their coop for a couple of days and would take treats out to them in the coop about the same every eve. When I let them out I continued with the treats for awhile. When they went into the coop for their treats in the evenings I would shut their pop door. In the morning I would open it up and let them out. I slowly cut back on the treats. Now no more treats and they are in before dark.

 

[thecochincoop]

I have this problem also with all my babies and new birds. They eventually learn, but when there are older birds it takes a while longer. you will just have to be patient and make sure they get to bed.

 

[gritsar]

Put em in lockdown. In the coop with no access to the run for a few days, maybe a week.
It's so much easier than herding chickens every night. It'll train their itty bitty brains.

 

[logansmommy7]

The problem is I have 12 other chickens who are already trained! I'm sure it is because initially the older chickens would run them out, but they are just in the habit now. Hopefully when they get a little older they will figure it out. Do you think I should leave them out there later? Right now, I go out and put them in right after it the sun goes down before complete darkness...

 

[smileysal]

We had this problem when we introduced some new babies, the Cochins are now going in on their own (after about a month) but the Appenzellers still insist on roosting on the highest perch in the run and we have to go and pick them up and put them in, don't know if they'll ever get the hang of it!!!