won't leave the coop

usmcpilot06

Chirping
Mar 21, 2018
106
51
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I moved the chicks to their coop a little over a week ago. They are about 7 weeks old. They absolutely refuse to leave the coop and head out to the yard and do what chickens do. I have tried food but no dice.
 
Is your coop elevated so they cannot see the ground beneath the door? Is the ramp steep? Have any of them figured out the pop-door is more than a window?

To 'train' our first chickens (because the older hens teach the new chicks how to do this) - we took food treats and lined the treats along the ramp. Then we picked up one alpha chick and took it into the run (we were sitting there with the tasty treats) and made sure ALL the chicks could see it was getting treats. (I think it was left-over homemade cornbread). That helped to encourage them outdoors. Yes, we had to more or less 'chuck' the last one out the door...but it did work.

Now, getting BACK into the coop is a different story...
 
they came out this evening for about 30 minutes, coaxed with some food. bu they would not leave the barn...I think I may know what is going on also. When I walked into the barn a cat was in the barn....next time I go out there I will be ready...gonna have to shoot a cat I guess...
 
Although I did notice they finally figured out, after a week or so, how to use the planks to get onto the roots...half of them were sitting on the roosts.
 
Is your coop elevated so they cannot see the ground beneath the door? Is the ramp steep? Have any of them figured out the pop-door is more than a window?

To 'train' our first chickens (because the older hens teach the new chicks how to do this) - we took food treats and lined the treats along the ramp. Then we picked up one alpha chick and took it into the run (we were sitting there with the tasty treats) and made sure ALL the chicks could see it was getting treats. (I think it was left-over homemade cornbread). That helped to encourage them outdoors. Yes, we had to more or less 'chuck' the last one out the door...but it did work.

Now, getting BACK into the coop is a different story...
My coop is in my barn, there are no ramps. just a 30 foot walk to the door to go outside. And yes they think the chicken door is a window to stand and look out of.
 
Welcome, and thank you for your service to our country. Yeah, the cat may be the big part of the issue, plus the 30' walk through a scary world to get out... then they will not be able to figure out the whole "back in" issue. If you have some time available, you may have to act the part of the broody hen and SHOW them what you expect. Even to the point of catching them and taking them outside for a bit, then escorting them back in. I recommend doing so towards the end of the day. I guide my birds with a 4' long switch or fiberglass pole.

Is it possible for you to make a pop door in the side of the barn so they can exit directly from their coop?
 

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