Yes, it’s really that simple. Once your chickens get their bearings, they will go back home on their own accord. It doesn’t hurt to feed them, in their coop, at the end of the day (treats or whatnot) to give them an extra incentive.
The more curious chickens will leave the coop first and explore but within a few minutes the rest of the flock should come out and join them. If after a few hours the flock are still inside the coop give them a gentle push out into the pen. You can leave your chickens for the rest of the day now to explore their new environment and get comfortable!
There are really only three sure-fire ways to get your chickens back into the safety of their coop. And one of them is to let them think it was their idea in the first place. Chickens are creatures of habit, and once they know where their roost is, they will return to it every night–like clockwork.
How long can you keep chickens in the coop?
Smaller chickens seem to be able to fly better than heavier breeds. I would keep them in a coop with a run for about 2-3 weeks to let them know that there will always be food and water there. After 2-3 weeks I would let them out about an hour before dark for a couple of days to get them in the rhythm of things.
What time do your chickens go into their coop?
, and daniel-delarosa. This is my third night with my new chickens. I don’t lock mine up unless it’s cold., and sharol. Try putting a light in the coop for a few nights (have it in place as it gets dark). Scotianchick, danep, nuchickontheblock, chickenkate17, yay chicks! Daniel-delarosa, or maizey are a few additional things to examine.
Will chickens stop laying if coop is dirty?
Usually, a chicken’s dropping will not cause them to stop laying eggs. However, if the coop is too dirty or the chickens have no access to clean water, they may stop laying eggs. If you’re having trouble getting your chickens to lay eggs, make sure their living conditions are as comfortable and conducive to egg-laying as possible.
This begs the question “Do some breeds of chickens have dirty bottoms?”
Yes, some chickens breeds suffer dirty bottoms more than others. Commercial hybrids do not take well to feeds other than pellets and the habit of re-homing rescued battery hens makes this a common problem as the hens are already weakened.
Does chicken wire keep chickens in or out?
This is a good place to note that chicken wire keeps chickens in but will not keep predators out! Many people have found this out the hard way thinking their birds are secure and safe, only to find it wasn’t. Your coop should be able to withstand an assault from many different sources.
How do you secure a chicken coop in the winter?
I use a metal chain to suspend the fixture, duct tape to secure the wiring, and an extra securing with strong twine for securing all! We have talked in our complete guide to raising chickens in winter about heating the coop during winter . Adult chickens do not need extra heat over the winter.
Do chickens poop and lay eggs at the same time?
It may happen occasionally and once ot twice is nothing to worry about but a chicken with a permanently dirty bottom has something wrong with it. Chickens poop and lay eggs out of the same hole or vent, called the cloaca. There is some nifty biology in there that normally stops both processes happening at the same time but not always.