How to get free range birds in coop

[ladyhand]

I think mine must read the paper - they know exactly what time official sunset is, and "go to bed" a few minutes before that. If I go out prematurely to lock them up, it takes a lot more effort on my part.

Where do yours try to roost, if they're not wanting to go to the coop?

Also, do you have an attached, predator-proof pen? If I'm not going to be around at the right time in the evening, I'll lure mine into their pen by tossing in some scratch and then lock down everything but the pop door (which opens into the pen). They'll go to roost when they're ready, and I can do any other little chores when I return.

I try bringing mine in around 7:30-8:00. Between putting my kid to bed and then myself (I go to bed early), I don’t want to wait until it’s dark. Idk where they’d try to roost, I’m assuming my Adirondack chairs and the board I’ve laid across for them to have somewhere to hang out when it’s raining.

We just finished their coop (well to the point they could move in) last weekend and I’m going to build a run so I can go back to the office (right now I’m going out frequently to check on their mischievous little butts) but I’m not sure if they’ll go to the run willingly after I let them have free range time at night.

I’m not sure if age has anything to do with it, they’re right about 8 weeks. I dread going out each night and chasing them down, I do try luring with treats (mealworms are their favorite) first and they’re definitely on to me and are so hesitant to come to them.

 

[KyCoop]

I love that I'm not alone and that others wade through a mass of begging, jumping chickens to try and get things done. I trained my girls when they were little to a yellow , plastic cup (of treats). I use it every night to put them in their run. If I ever need to put them up early or in a hurry it's not a problem. When they see "the cup" they come running.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I love that I'm not alone and that others wade through a mass of begging, jumping chickens to try and get things done. I trained my girls when they were little to a yellow , plastic cup (of treats). I use it every night to put them in their run. If I ever need to put them up early or in a hurry it's not a problem. When they see "the cup" they come running.

I use a yellow feed scoop! They hear me step out, heads turn, no yellow scoop I get ignored, yellow scoop everyone comes running.

This has saved them from hawks more than once.

 

[3KillerBs]

I try bringing mine in around 7:30-8:00. Between putting my kid to bed and then myself (I go to bed early), I don’t want to wait until it’s dark.

Unfortunately, chickens do not respect human schedules. The only clock they follow is the clock of the sun.

I've been in the same boat with wanting to go to bed at 9 since I get up at 5:30 but I haven't figured out a way to get them inside before it's actually dark. There is no treat that they like better than they like hanging around outside at sunset. I suppose the tastiest bugs come out at dusk.

 

[ladyhand]

I use a yellow feed scoop! They hear me step out, heads turn, no yellow scoop I get ignored, yellow scoop everyone comes running.

This has saved them from hawks more than once.

What does said yellow scoop contain?

 

[21hens-incharge]

What does said yellow scoop contain?

Just a small handful of scratch. If I have black oil sunflower seeds I put a pinch of that in with the scratch. Nothing fancy at all.

I trained them to go in the run for it by taking it out at random times during the day to the run then spreading the treat wide and not closing the run door. After a few weeks they had all caught on and come running at the sight of that yellow scoop.

 

[ladyhand]

Just a small handful of scratch. If I have black oil sunflower seeds I put a pinch of that in with the scratch. Nothing fancy at all.

I trained them to go in the run for it by taking it out at random times during the day to the run then spreading the treat wide and not closing the run door. After a few weeks they had all caught on and come running at the sight of that yellow scoop.

I wish mine liked scratch, they just let it sprout grass and then pick at that. I swear they are the pickiest chickens in the world.

 

[ladyhand]

So last night I waited until 8:20 (sunset was supposed to be 8:35). My lead hen front runner (sunny) led them out to the coop, and after a few minutes she jumped in... the others wanted to poke around for a bit. Sunny just wanted to jump on my shoulder or head, I think she just wanted somewhere really tall to roost. About 15 minutes after I started this process (standing at the coop, lightly calling to them and shaking a bag of mealworms - sunny going in and out a few times) three of them decided to perch on my daughters play set instead. Once I grabbed one, the rest fell in line and jumped in after her. When sunny first jumped in and the ladies were just hanging out in front of the coop, I said, “holy $h!t I can’t believe this is working”.
tonight goes a bit faster, I was very happy for it being the first night of our new process and wasn’t hot, mad, and questioning my life decisions while chasing them . Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Boise-girls]

I'm so happy for you!

 

[KyCoop]

Get yourself a brightly colored something you can put the "bait" in and it wont matter what's in it the container, they will come.
Also come up with a certain call and use it every time and they will come when you call them also. Mine is "Common Girls" in a very high pitch voice.