5 tips for getting birds to a new coop in the forest?

[CabritaChicks]

I think I’ve googled so hard my eyeballs are bleeding. Anyone have tried-and-true tricks for getting chickens—just seven little mountain dwellers—to start using a brand-new coop in a perfect shaded area?

Quick backstory:

1. They’ve been living in a temporary coop while some big professional construction happened on the property.
2. The babies were literally Easter chicks this year, and the oldest of the bunch is around 16 weeks—basically goofy teenagers with feathers.
3. They’re ridiculously docile and cute, free-ranging around like fluffy little tourists who have made this property home.
4. Because of the blazing heat, they’ve decided the best spot in the world is a cozy nook under our house, where they all pile up during the hottest parts of the day. Which they dont understand the best place is in the blare-whitch forest by their new coop!
5. Did they venture down? Sure, first thing! but sleeping. Nope- they go back to the temporary coop. Have I forced the issue? no... so this is about the future where I will in fact (or may) need to force the issue).

Now, my husband and I (okay, mostly my husband, I’m the designated eyeball and encourager) just wrapping up building a stunning new coop. The only catch? It’s completely out of view from their old digs thanks to our mountain’s fun combo of elevation, thick vegetation, our home and general rugged chaos.

Every night: They march into the old temporary coop like clockwork- even after a full day of free-ranging, but this new one might as well be on Mars. I don't necessarily want to sit down there all day (nor will my health allow it!)- and the mosquitos are brutal.

My brilliant plan so far: try guiding them down there (though they only get chopped greens, no bribes like scratch—- they hate scratch, I purchased bags of it- they wont touch it!), then gently coax them in and keep them confined for a few days?

It has a small run area, but honestly... I’m kind of a chicken myself (pun absolutely intended) and love hanging out with them too much. They will be so much happier and healthier in the new coop- they just need to understand it.

I know parrots like the back of my hand—chickens, though? Total newbie here.

Question:
How many days to keep them 'locked in'?
Has this worked for others? or should I be more generous with my 'pet chickens'

Sorry for the questions, Im learning. I can run an avian clinic, but this is just a bit excess with the coop transfer.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Chickens are creatures of habit but also adaptable. They can be trained. I understand your goal is for them to put themselves to sleep in the new coop. Nothing more, nothing less. What they do during the day isn't that important.

I would leave them locked in the new coop day and night for at least a week. Get them used to sleeping in there. A week might be enough, it might not. But after a week open the run door and see what they do. If they do not return to the new coop at night, lock them in there for another week or so. Be down there at bedtime for a few days to make sure they can find the gate. I've had some totally forget about the gate they had been using all day and just walk up to the fence and not be able to go through to get to the coop. They totally ignore the gate though it is only 5 meters or so away.

Alternatively, every night at bedtime physically move them to the new coop and lock them in. As long as you are consistent every day they will eventually get the message.

We do this kind of stuff all of the time. I've had some broods catch on after one time, I've had some that it took being consistent for three weeks before the last ones figured it out.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Chickens are creatures of habit but also adaptable.

All of this was incredibly helpful—thank you so much!

It’s quite the trek down there, and I’ve basically got a month to get them fully oriented.

I just went down to check on my husband puting cetarin touches and doors on the coop and brought Suki (our goofy, chubby roo who actually loves being carried) along for the ride. My husband just shook his head and said, “Carrying that chicken again?...”

He was busy working on the coop doors. Meanwhile, Suki (marans, something leghorn, something mix)hopped right up onto one of the roost bars like he’d been waiting for it his whole life. Pretty cool chick (well, technically a guy, but close enough). Since Suki’s the ringleader, the fact that he instantly approved might save us a world of hassle. I’d much rather be overprepared than scrambling for solutions after the fact.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Question on final 'moving day':
should I just toss a tarp over the old coop?

It’s a pretty steep trek to the new coop (picture about 90 non ADA stairs that aren’t exactly kind to someone about to have back surgery next month). Carrying the chickens down there is doable — but if they decide to march right back up- and they follow me and one another...? I honestly don’t have it in me to keep shuttling them.

I’m hopeful I can work a little feather magic, but this crew is already laying and pretty fond of their current nest. trying to think it through- avoid disaster.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Question on final 'moving day':
should I just toss a tarp over the old coop?

Yes, block their access to the coop and old nests.

It’s a pretty steep trek to the new coop (picture about 90 non ADA stairs that aren’t exactly kind to someone about to have back surgery next month).

Then lock them in the new coop and run for at least a week. Since they are already laying I'd probably opt for after your surgery so you aren't tempted to hurt yourself. Let them get used to sleeping and laying down there before you turn them loose and give them options.

As long as you built more than the absolute minimum it will not hurt them to stay locked in there, no matter what they try to tell you. They lie. Once when I boarded a dog the keeper said the dog told her that she was starved, even though she had just eaten. That dog just flat out lied to her. I doubt that your chickens are any more honest!

 

[D Uccle Uncle]

Is it possible that the temporary coop is located where the birds find it more comfortable (in terms of temperature, humidity, and airflow)?

Just as they now rest under your house in the heat of the day, perhaps they are voting with their feet regarding roosting location?

 

[thecatumbrella]

Alternatively, every night at bedtime physically move them to the new coop and lock them in. As long as you are consistent every day they will eventually get the message.

We do this kind of stuff all of the time. I've had some broods catch on after one time, I've had some that it took being consistent for three weeks before the last ones figured it out.

Ridgerunner must have a degree in chicken psychology. Always has the best advice!

This is exactly what we would do. The fact that you have a run attached is even better. Get the highest value item and walk them over an hour or two before bedtime. Lock them in. Pray they're smart enough to get in the coop. They won't be. Send your husband out to stuff them in the coop. Ignore their screams of protest (the chickens' and your husband's).

You're too kind to your chickens, and this is coming from someone that's too kind to their chickens!

But I'm guessing you've already started the transition... so how did it go?

 

[NatJ]

Every night: They march into the old temporary coop like clockwork- even after a full day of free-ranging, but this new one might as well be on Mars.

My brilliant plan so far: try guiding them down there (though they only get chopped greens, no bribes like scratch—- they hate scratch, I purchased bags of it- they wont touch it!), then gently coax them in and keep them confined for a few days?

Personally, I would let them go to bed in the old temporary coop one night, then grab them and carry them down to the new coop. Put them in, and do not let them out for at least a week. (That means NO free ranging during that week.)

Or if you don't want to carry them in the dark, shut them in the old temporary coop after they go in to sleep, then move them the next day by carrying them down & shutting them in.

I think guiding or coaxing them would be a waste of time and effort. Much faster and more effective to just carry them and shut them in. ("Carry" can be one at a time in your arms, or several at a time in some kind of dog crate or covered laundry basket or anything else they cannot get out of.)

Question on final 'moving day':
should I just toss a tarp over the old coop?

It’s a pretty steep trek to the new coop (picture about 90 non ADA stairs that aren’t exactly kind to someone about to have back surgery next month). Carrying the chickens down there is doable — but if they decide to march right back up- and they follow me and one another...? I honestly don’t have it in me to keep shuttling them.

You could toss a tarp over the old coop if you want, but the most effective thing will be to keep them shut in the new coop until they change their habits, whether that be a week or a month.

If the new coop has a run attached, I would lock them inside the coop itself for a least a few days, then coop & run for quite a while longer. Don't let them out of the run until they are reliably sleeping in the coop and laying eggs in the nests, for at least a few days in a row.

If you watch them at bedtime, you may be able to see if they have accepted the new coop (go in and sleep) or if they are pacing the fence at dusk trying to get back to the old coop before they reluctantly go into the new one (if they're doing that, they probably should not be allowed out to range yet.)

 

[CabritaChicks]

You're too kind to your chickens, and this is coming from someone that's too kind to their chickens!

But I'm guessing you've already started the transition... so how did it go?

Its definitely a issue. Hubby says he wants to be reincarnated as one of my birds.

Day 1:
Okay—so yesterday I asked Suki (my young rooster) to follow me down to the new coop in the late afternoon. He did, but wasn’t too thrilled about the parked heavy equipment nearby—it was unfamiliar and kind of spooky to him. The girls, however, didn’t follow at all. So I let everyone return to the old coop for the night.

This morning, I got smarter. I simply called them—and just like that, they all followed me down to the new coop, no hesitation. Once everyone was in, we shut the door. I gave them all their favorite treats: 21 veggie/fruit medley (my parrots eat a fresh diet so this is not an issue to shred versus chop the mix), cooked spaghetti squash, watermelon rinds, scrambled eggs, and a mix of homeopathic herbs rooted in Eastern medicine. These are their big ticket items.

They’ve got crumbles and a water feeder down there, so they’re set. It’s currently 2:30pm, they have been down there by themselves, but I have been watching them with binoculars every chance I get. I placed them in the run this AM- and first thing they explored the coop and roosting bars- which is a great sign....I had to make a run to the hardware store since the coop still needs a few finishing touches.

The plan now is to go work on the coop with my husband for a couple of hours (we should be able to wrap everything up!). While we’re down there, I’ll let the flock free range.... then attempt to coax them back in with more cooling treats like melon and frozen fruit.

Now we’ll see what happens tonight—whether they trek back up to the old coop or decide to stay put. I think they’ll want to come back up... they follow me quite a bit, and if I go up, they go up....but my husband’s betting they’ll stay down there (or he will lock them in and give me a giant glass of wine). We’ll see who’s right!

In summary:

• Called the chickens down to the new coop early this morning.
• They followed me eagerly for some yummy food.
• They’ve been hanging out there ever since (with the door closed).
• Later, I’ll work on the coop and let them free range nearby.
• Hoping to guide them back inside before dusk with cool treats.

 

[CabritaChicks]

I should also mention: we had rain last night—great news, because not a single drop got inside. That means the design is working just as planned (I wanted to test it out before moving the chickens in).

Edit: chickens, not chicks. I still call them chicks. LOL
Edit: Ill post day 2 with pictures, maybe it will help people in the future who have a heart made of marshmallow.