Won't go in the coop.

[HenPecked65]

My Australorps are 11 weeks old and seem to be doing well. .however when evening comes and all 14 gather in the same corner of their run..I moved them out to the coop at 6 weeks..summer weather. .well above 70 at night. Due to the major heat wave I immediately released them every morning to avoid overheating. I have hand delivered them to the coop every evening since 6 weeks old ..hoping they will catch on soon lol. They go in and out all day long and often a few go in at evening but end up coming back out to join the others in the corner. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[barred2rock]

Your best bet is probably to lock them down in the coop for about a week. This should teach them where home is, where and how to roost and where to lay their eggs.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I would agree keep them in the coop a few days to show that is home
and a big from Mossyrock Washington state

 

[HenPecked65]

Your best bet is probably to lock them down in the coop for about a week. This should teach them where home is, where and how to roost and where to lay their eggs.

My only concern is the heat ..here in Missouri we have had extreme heat..with the exception of the Last week. I originally was gonna leave them in coop for a couple weeks back when I moved them but the heat happened. I will definitely do this as soon as the weather pattern is cooler. Thanks

 

[HenPecked65]

I would agree keep them in the coop a few days to show that is home
and a big from Mossyrock Washington state

Thanks. .I will definitely do this as soon as possible. .my girls seem to almost enjoy their taxi ride to the coop each evening. .lol

 

[pennyJo1960]

Thanks. .I will definitely do this as soon as possible. .my girls seem to almost enjoy their taxi ride to the coop each evening. .lol

I imagine they are enjoying the ride but they will have you doing it forever if allowed they are pretty smart

 

[sawilliams]

Do you have any way you can ooen a door and put chicken wire over it to increase ventilation? That's what we did.

 

[HenPecked65]

Do you have any way you can ooen a door and put chicken wire over it to increase ventilation? That's what we did.

Yes I do have a wire door behind the wood door. I will be checking the weather. .making sure we stay below 90's. Gotta get er done. Thanks.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC @HenPecked65!
At this point, not sure locking them up would do the trick and the heat is definitely a concern.

How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
Do you have 14 feet of roost length that is easy to get up and down from?
Do you have windows for light(and ventilation) in the coop?
Pics of your coop would help.

What I would do is put a light in the coop just before dusk,
one of those cheap battery operated puck lights works great for this.
You don't want it to be really bright, so if it's an LED cover it a bit to dim the brightness.

I would also 'disturb' the place they normally gather in the run,
put a couple buckets or something that prevents them from lying there.
Might take a few nights to get them to go in as you've been carting them in for long time.

 

[HenPecked65]

Welcome to BYC @HenPecked65!
At this point, not sure locking them up would do the trick and the heat is definitely a concern.

How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
Do you have 14 feet of roost length that is easy to get up and down from?
Do you have windows for light(and ventilation) in the coop?
Pics of your coop would help.

What I would do is put a light in the coop just before dusk,
one of those cheap battery operated puck lights works great for this.
You don't want it to be really bright, so if it's an LED cover it a bit to dim the brightness.

I would also 'disturb' the place they normally gather in the run,
put a couple buckets or something that prevents them from lying there.
Might take a few nights to get them to go in as you've been carting them in for long time.

My coop

Welcome to BYC @HenPecked65!
At this point, not sure locking them up would do the trick and the heat is definitely a concern.

How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
Do you have 14 feet of roost length that is easy to get up and down from?
Do you have windows for light(and ventilation) in the coop?
Pics of your coop would help.

What I would do is put a light in the coop just before dusk,
one of those cheap battery operated puck lights works great for this.
You don't want it to be really bright, so if it's an LED cover it a bit to dim the brightness.

I would also 'disturb' the place they normally gather in the run,
put a couple buckets or something that prevents them from lying there.
Might take a few nights to get them to go in as you've been carting them in for long time.

My coop is 8ft x 8ft. With 6 ft ceiling tapering back to 4 ft. I'll try and send a couple of pictures. The light seems to help with the bunching up in the coop.