Getting them in at night.

[hawsecav19d]

I got bunch of new chicks 6 weeks ago raised inside first 5 weeks last 3 days I finally let them out into the run. Now they will not go in at night to roost they stay on ground in the run. They go in during the day from time to time but not a single one goes in at night. Have 3 old hens that show them the way up the ramp and how to get on roost so I am at loss as to what to try next I put a light in the coop tonight and still no good. Any suggestions? I got a small tarp over where they sleeping to prevent them getting rained on and am not sure if that might be stopping them from going up the ramp if they think they safe under the cover.

 

[Percheron chick]

Just pick each one up and stuff them in the coop. It will take a few nights for them to put themselves to bed. Treats in the coop at bedtime can do the trick too.

 

[hawsecav19d]

I really wish I could my run is only 4ft tall and I am 6'1 I could probably snach a few up near the door but I don't want them scarred of bedtime will try the meal worms next evening at the coop side doorway see if I can coax some of them in.

 

[azygous]

There's a much better way. Chasing the chicks down and grabbing them and stuffing them into the coop is very stressful on the chicks as well as you. There's no need to do it that way.

Have you been giving your chicks treats? Have they learned to come to you when you call them for treats? If you haven't it's a quick lesson and the chicks will respond very quickly when you call them after receiving treats for doing so. Spend an afternoon getting them to come to you by using treats and a verbal cue.

The first night you want to wait until you hear the chicks gathering together and making "night" sounds. It's a sort of cricket-like chirping, softer and more high pitched than their normal daytime chirps.

Next you get into the coop and take a flashlight or even a night light and turn it on so the coop is lighter than it is out in the run. Then call the chicks, showing them their favorite treats. You will only need to use the treats this first time, and maybe the second, and the light will only be necessary until they are going into the coop on their own.

As they come inside, be very patient, and do not force any one to do anything they don't want. I usually take advantage of this learning experience to also teach them to use the perch. I don't force them to remain if they don't want, but I will spend about a minute or two each night placing them on the perch, close together so they're touching and close to a wall if possible, all for security and reassurance. esting your hand lightly on their backs will calm and quiet them if they're acting stressed out. But don't go beyond two minutes. Let them sleep where they want.

Repeat this exercise on night two, waiting until they signal they're thinking about grouping together to sleep. You want to build on their natural instinct to want to sleep in a secure place under cover. It doesn't take much more than three or four nights of this and they'll be going in on their own, and probably roosting as well.

 

[bradleyfarmgirl]

At what age do you let free range

 

[bradleyfarmgirl]

Ok again ..... what age have you let yout chickies free range? i have 4 elders at 4 months that have been free ranging and now have 16 new babie girls .the elders i got frim tractor supply and my starters into the chicken business. Got 6 and lost 2. I mail ordered 16 all female and have done the introductions ... want to start to let them out out but scared .... they're 6 1/2 weeks old now and smaller

 

[azygous]

At what age do you let free range

Just open the coop pop hole and let them venture out at their own speed. Chicks will generally stick very close to the coop at first until they become familiar with their world. Almost always they will want to return to the coop when night approaches.

By the way, it's easy to start your own thread and it will always get more responses than tacking a question onto another thread. just click "start a new thread" just above this reply box.

 

[bradleyfarmgirl]

Thanks for your reply and help .. couldnt figure it out .... duh for me