Won’t come out and in coop

[cmom]

I agree, you need more ventilation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop.47774/

 

[cmom]

This is an older picture. We were putting metal roofs on the coops

 

[New2Chicks97]

Several of my girls were hesitant to come out of the little attached run of their coop when we started letting them free range. All it took to get them to come out was finding the right treat and now they pop out of the door and follow me to where their treats (aka scratch grains) come from.

I tried meal worms but they weren’t thrilled with those but they were crazy for scratch grain. Works for me because it is way cheaper than dried meal worms. Try things until you find what works for your girls. It took hand feeding them the treats until they got used to them.

 

[cmom]

Treats are definitely a good way to get the birds to do what you want. My birds like both meal worms and scratch. I treat them with scratch because to give them all meal worms would be very expensive for me.

 

[WhiteWyan]

Aren't these Cornish cross? Honestly the poor thing may have had it's own problems, not necessarily your fault. That particular type of chicken is prone to heart problems, I've read... I haven't raised them myself. I hope the rest of your little guys are okay!
Also the breed thing might also have to do with their behavior. I've read that they aren't very adventurous and prefer to stay in a small vicinity. Not good foragers, as it is said.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

At that age, mine wouldn't come out or go into the coop on their own either. I had to physically move them in and out for several weeks. Then they got the hang of it.
So sorry about your chicken! I hope the others do okay. This heat is brutal! I usually lock my chickens up at night in the coop but even with lots of ventilation, it is hot and humid in the coop, so I have left the door to the coop open so they can go out if they get too hot. Good luck with your chickens!

 

[aart]

They do indeed look like Cornish Cross meat birds,
meant to be slaughtered at 8-10 weeks old.

Yes, that coop needs serious ventilation and window additions,
for light as well as fresh air.

Swamp cooler, ice cubes and fan, will add humidity,
which you probably already have in spades in MD.
Adding humidity to an already under-ventilated coop could cause health issues,
as well as increase their discomfort.

 

[Motivesgeek03]

Thanks everyone be for the help! Do need to add more windows too. We followed a coop design we found on Pinterest.

 

[Acre4Me]

Thanks everyone be for the help! Do need to add more windows too. We followed a coop design we found on Pinterest.

Good luck! You did a great thing by elevating the coop -built in shade under the coop and limits the access points for predators. We also elevated ours, and I’m glad we did (in retrospect) because they hang out there in the heat of the summer.

I recommend putting their food under the coop so they eat in the shade. Water too.

You can pretty easily ventilate your coop, cut openings and cover with hardware cloth that is well attached. In the winter, you can cover some of the openings or partially cover them if neede. Good luck!