When do the chicks start going into the hen-house their own?

[norcalchicks]

Hello everyone,

Newbie chicken owners here, we have gained so much information from this site, wanted to say first off thanks for all that contribute!

Question: Chicks will come out of the hen house in the AM but seem to not go up the walk into the hen house at night...

Chicks are 4 weeks old and getting feathers, I turn the heat lamp on and night and leave the door open when it's dusk, but when I go back out when it's dark they are huddled on the floor of the run...

Should I leave them in the run and let them figure it out?
I have been putting them in at night myself, is this the correct thing to do?

Thanks for any input you may have.

 

[Judy]

No, I'd put them in every night til they get the idea; they might never figure it out. They often need to be taught. You may have to teach them to roost the same way, but I'd wait a month or two for that, and they may roost on their own by then.

Might want to check temp with that heat lamp. If it gets it much over 65 or 70 in there, it could be too warm for them.

Treats are a great way to help them learn to go in.

 

[CoopCrazy]

My girls only took two days of me putting them back in and they had figured it out... Try putting tereats in the coop , cooked spagetti is a fav of chicks .... They will get it eventually... I wouldnt leave mine outside all night to many predators out...

 

[Lady Henevere]

Mine took 2-3 days. I put them in at dusk and locked them in, then let them out in the morning. A couple of nights later they just did it on their own. The leader of the flock went in first, and the others followed after a few minutes. (Well, one freaked out and had a heck of a time trying to figure out how to get inside, but she finally got it after another one poked her head out the door said something, apparently giving the one outside the idea of going through the doorway. Silly chickens.)

 

[JennsPeeps]

My first flock figured it out on their own the very first night. I was so proud!

My 2 new introductions have had a harder time of it, especially since we've split the coop in half (to protect them from the adults) and there isn't a ramp for them. They have to be put away or fly up about 4'. Last night one of the two was peep/clucking and pacing, trying to figure it out. She finally hopped up into my lap, then jumped up from there. Chickens have a strong instinct to roost in the same spot nightly. She knew that's where she was supposed to be but was impatient because I hadn't put her there yet.

They'll get it eventually. They're not bright creatures but instincts are strong. Keep putting them away every night and then intervene less & less.

 

[norcalchicks]

What is interesting is that they go up and down the walk and even perch on it...just will not go in at night.

I am guessing that I may have to encourage them at dusk, I will try the spaghetti...and some treats. Never thought of it being too hot either, that could be it...

So are there any other treats they like other than spaghetti?

We have 16 chicks, it looks like at least 3 roosters (as they are bigger and already starting to have larger combs) and one seems to be the dominant chicken, maybe I can get that one to train the others...?

Thanks for the tips...

PS - I will post some pictures of the coop and chicks on the other thread.

 

[norcalchicks]

Well, I still have to put the chicks in the henhouse by hand...I have been trying to help them by setting them on the ramp at dusk but they just want to come right back out.

I tried spaghetti, and they do eat it, should I leave some treats in the henhouse?

Should I move their food and water in the henhouse?

They are moving inside and out of the henhouse during the day and use the ramp so I know they understand that part...

Am I missing something here? Do I need to be more patient, and let them just figure it out?

Chicks are 4 weeks old, is it too early for us to expect them to move in at dusk?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

norcalchicks -