When will my chicks smarten up? *sigh*

[Kelly G]

Also, are they under the coop in that picture? If they are, is there a way to block them off so they don't get under there?

And just to let you know, a heat lamp isn't really necessary. I had five week old chicks out in thirty degree weather in an open air coop (covered in plastic) and they did just fine. Heat lamps are fire hazards!

Yep! They are under the coop in the photo - it's where I keep their dust-bath (to keep it dry) and food/water.

The heat lamp is mounted on the rafters with a metal bracket...it will not be going anywhere without power tools...

And I hear you on they may not need it at this point - but the breeder said to leave it and use it on those cold nights. So here I am in the middle, conflicted.

Thanks a bunch for your input - much appreciate it <3

 

[Kelly G]

That picture is so pretty!

Thank you - we are SO happy to be here!

 

[Kelly G]

I've done that with 3 groups of chicks, and all of them knew to go back into the coop at night once they were let out into the run.

Yeah, this group has been in here for 5 weeks...they just started being allowed out in the run starting Tuesday.

 

[Kelly G]

Yes some chicks are quicker and going to a coop than others. I have found that physically walking them in helps. Any ramps or other obstacles in the path?

Thanks for the reply! Yep - they have two ramps...one inside the coop to get up to the perches - they use them all the time.

Then I have one ramp outside that they have used every morning to get out...but boycott using it to get back in. Maybe I'll try walking them up it to give them the idea.

 

[Ecarroll]

SO! I have 11 chicks that are 7 weeks old...fully feathered & doing great! I'm SO please with them!!

That said...I'm afraid I don't have the brightest chicks in the world-wide coop...

We have had (with more coming) cold weather here in Western North Carolina...it will be in the teens this weekend. Their coop has heating lamps, fresh, clean water, delicious food! - really everything to reinforce that home is where you want to be!!

I even have a light that is on inside the coop & dims starting at 9pm because I know they are attracted to light.

But...every night I have to go and catch them and physically put them into the coop to be able to lock them in safely...they don't go in on their own.

This is SUPER annoying! When will they smarten up and go in on their own??

Photo of just one of the..."special" pullets...

(and if the sarcasm doesn't translate...please know that I absolutely love my chickens....even if they are trying to kill me.

View attachment 4010987

I think you’ve gotten all the advice you need, most importantly, be patient and remove that heat lamp, also more ventilation may help. Also, that looks like a cockerel for seven weeks. My first group of chickens got along fine, but I did have them locked up in the coop for quite awhile. The next group of this last spring where out there from one week old in an out door brooder method, then took little trips out in which I had to put them back, then once the time came they came fine, presumably because tauscht by the olders.

 

[Evadig]

Maybe I'll try walking them up it to give them the idea.

That might help too! I even taught my Pekin ducks (big, heavy quackers) to go the ramp by doing that.

 

[Kelly G]

First off, yes the heat lamp is a fire hazard and potentially deterring them from going in, as they simply do not need it and may actually prefer the cooler temps and air flow outside.

Is there ventilation that's not shown in your coop photo? They may find it stuffy inside if that window is the only source of air.

If there's a ramp into the coop, is the angle not to sharp on it and does it have traction and have they been trained to go up it (that is, have you seen them using it on their own?)

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, heat lamps can be a real fire hazzard...but that is usually people not properly securing them. These are bolted to the rafters. The chickens will need to learn how to use power tools to get them down...and of course they are still trying to figure out the confusing challenge of the ramp.

Yes, there is good ventilation - my husband put in two of these (one on each peak). The window is really for summer.

There are two ramps - one inside up to the perches...and one outside. They both have "grips" and they handle the incline just fine on the one inside - and have been using that ramp for weeks...the one outside has a much gentler incline.

This isn't my first time keeping chickens...just the first time I've had them take more than a couple of days to go back in on their own.

 

[Kelly G]

I'm a bit suspicious that's a Roo too for 7 weeks! Hope we're wrong if OP is expecting they are all girls!

LOL!! You guys are right - that's probably a cockrel.

These were from a hatch that I incubated...so, yes, there are several cockerels in the bunch.

These are English Orpingtons...they develop pretty slow compared to some other breeds. I'm hoping that buff one is a cockerel - he will be a keeper if so!

The other boys will probably be sent off for freezer camp. So far, I'm confident there are three others (out of the 11)

 

[Kelly G]

For anyone interested...this current hatch that I have is from "Orpington Farmhouse Acres" in NC.

The photos here in this post are hers (not mine). She breeds some gorgeous birds.
All of mine are English Orpingtons - they are very, very different than other Orpingtons.

These birds are big - and (as the standard requires) they are round. Very round.

In this hatch, I have 3 Buffs, 4 Creles, 1 BBS, and 3 Cuckoos.

Depending on the quality as they mature...that will decide which variety I will breed. I have more eggs coming from her in the spring.

I currently have two coops (the 2nd one is one I got from TSC for 50% off!), but will add a third for my favorite breed of all.....Silver Laced Wyandottes (see my profile pic!). They will also be coming in spring!!

 

[RubelliteRose]

been there, done that with shoving chicks into their coop at night
A couple of things, one has already been mentioned...
I would take out the heat lamp, by this age they don't really need it, and may be getting too warm in the coop - think of not being allowed to take off your heaviest winter coat while inside. Not overheating, but not comfortable either.
I would also take out the light. My chickens have learned to hustle into the coop around sunset so they can still see enough to hop up to the roost. Except Holly, she usually waits until it is too dark and needs me to shine a flashlight so she can see enough to fly up
Also, I seem to remember that 8 weeks is about the age my slowest group of chicks learned to go into the coop by themselves. But then that group has remained a bunch of hooligans to this day- they once got themselves "lost" in the first row of the soybean field across the street