6 Week old chicks sleeping under coop

[redinator]

I think your coop is too small for 5 chickens. Go out with a tape measure and measure the coop, JUST the coop, where you want the chickens to sleep, enclosed at night, L X W, in feet, and report back. If it is not at least 4 x 5 FEET, it is too small for 5 chickens. If you are measuring it in inches - it is way too small. And that's why they won't go in.

This is the coop I have https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRJCDQDN?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1 and I'm aware that it's on the small side, but it's temporary.

I a shed similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/MUPATER-Galvanized-Furniture-Slooping-Lockable/dp/B0CD3FX2TC/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.1ac62dee-1169-4bf4-91b9-84fe33c930b1:amzn1.sym.1ac62dee-1169-4bf4-91b9-84fe33c930b1&crid=ARX7B46OKHV&cv_ct_cx=8x10+shed+metal&keywords=8x10+shed+metal&pd_rd_i=B0CD3FX2TC&pd_rd_r=cbfcbfcd-eb3e-4811-9a8c-ceba42864207&pd_rd_w=1hxaf&pd_rd_wg=1CwZZ&pf_rd_p=1ac62dee-1169-4bf4-91b9-84fe33c930b1&pf_rd_r=5P3MTHDE654GASDTJRCR&qid=1742871130&sbo=RZvfv//HxDF+O5021pAnSA==&sprefix=8x10+shed+metal,aps,166&sr=1-3-6024b2a3-78e4-4fed-8fed-e1613be3bcce-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1 older but you get the idea. And I plan to do something similar to this https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/metal-shed-into-coop.64954/ with it.

I'm just waiting for the weather to stop ruining my ever growing to-do list. I plan to free range them most the day, but I have to get them to go back in the coop consistently at night first.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

That is a good sized shed, but that is not the coop the chicks are sleeping under. What is the size of the coop the chicks are sleeping under?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You are asking for help to get the chicks inside that coop and I don't believe you are ever going to get them in that coop humanely.

 

[redinator]

That is a good sized shed, but that is not the coop the chicks are sleeping under. What is the size of the coop the chicks are sleeping under?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRJCDQDN?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1&tag=backy-20

 

[BigBlueHen53]

That does not give the actual measurements of where the chickens are. Subtract the nest area. They are not sleeping in the nests.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It actually looks to be about 4' x 2', or 8 sq ft. That means there is room in that coop for 2 chickens, max.

 

[redinator]

It actually looks to be about 4' x 2', or 8 sq ft. That means there is room in that coop for 2 chickens, max.

They are 6 weeks old and still huddle together since the nights are still chilly here. That coop was always intended to be temporary since my old shed needs quite a bit of work to prep it for them.

 

[BDutch]

It actually looks to be about 4' x 2', or 8 sq ft. That means there is room in that coop for 2 chickens, max.

It depends a lot on where you live and how you keep your chickens, how much space you need inside. If 5 chicks/juveniles only use it to sleep, Redinator only needs to provide enough nest/rest-area and roost space.

If you or the climate locks them inside, they do need much more space. 2sqft each is certainly not enough 24/7. But can be enough if chickens can go outside the whole day.

IMO it’s very well possible to keep more than 2 adults in this coop in mild /warm climate. But only if the chickens can go outside as soon as the sun is up.
I think that if these chicks/juveniles are used to sleep in the coop, you can add an automatic door on a light sensor and it’s not a bad place to sleep with more ventilation for warm summer nights.

In my climate/area it would work with an automatic door and places to shelter outside. I think I could keep max 6 medium size chickens in it, if they get along, in combination with a safe run for the early hours. Free ranging around sunrise is very dangerous where I live.

 

[redinator]

It depends a lot on where you live and how you keep your chickens, how much space you need inside. If 5 chicks/juveniles only use it to sleep, Redinator only needs to provide enough nest/rest-area and roost space.

If you or the climate locks them inside, they do need much more space. 2sqft each is certainly not enough 24/7. But can be enough if chickens can go outside the whole day.

IMO it’s very well possible to keep more than 2 adults in this coop in mild /warm climate. But only if the chickens can go outside as soon as the sun is up.
I think that if these chicks/juveniles are used to sleep in the coop, you can add an automatic door on a light sensor and it’s not a bad place to sleep with more ventilation for warm summer nights.

In my climate/area it would work with an automatic door and places to shelter outside. I think I could keep max 6 medium size chickens in it, if they get along, in combination with a safe run for the early hours. Free ranging around sunrise is very dangerous where I live.

I've read it's better to free range later in the day (3-4 hours before sunset) due to the habits of most predators hunting in the early morning and late at night. It also makes putting them up at night easier since they'll move back to the run/coop instinctively when the sun goes down. I'll be using automatic doors after they put themselves up at night consistently. Once the doors are installed they'll have free access to a 9x18ft covered run throughout the day and free range access after the heat of the day passes around 3/4pm-6/7pm depending on the time of year.

 

[redinator]

I went out just after 7 and the chicks were waiting for me at the gate to their run. This means they're figuring out the routine. I turned on the light in the coop and tossed in a few handfuls of mealworms. They milled around at my feet and didn't go in. I decided to leave and check on them a few minutes later and . . . we have a 2nd night of success all 5 chicks tucked in for the night.