This post was published on April 16, 2021 inKeeping chickens.
How can I get my chickens back in their coops?
One of the biggest pain points for chicken owners is getting their chickens back into their coops. Keeping chickens is a fun and rewarding experience. But at the end of a long day, the last thing you want to do is run around and fight to get your chickens back into their coop. Instead of chasing your chickens, you can implement a few simple methods to get them back to their roost when you need them.
Training chickens takes time and the right techniques. Young chickens have not learned to return to their coop at night. If you keep young chicks, it is your responsibility to train them and this will benefit you in the future. It is also important to establish a clear pattern for chickens, for chickens of all ages.
Let's take a look at the tips we highly recommend for training chickens and help you get your feathered friends back in their coop.
Training chickens to get them back into their coops
Get into a routine
Chicken training is the key to getting your feathered friends back into their coop at night. To implement the best training methods, it is important to understand the chickens' behavioral patterns. Chickens are creatures of habit and like routine.
Once they know where their coop is, the house they stay in every night, your chickens will return to it every night. This sounds so simple: the part that requires attention and care is your attentionchickens know the farm is their home. A good tip is to teach your chickens to associate your voice with food and treats. Doing this will ensure that when you call your chickens back to their coops at night, they will obey your commands.
There are a few ways you can do this in a short time:
- Let your chickens out at the same time every morning.
- Keep your chickens in their coop for 1 week (and up to 2 weeks).
- Look forward to your feathered friends' return to the farm.
- Lock the house at the same time every evening.
- Associate your voice with treats and food so they always obey commands.
Make Coop their home
The behavior patterns of chickens are very different from those of us humans. Keeping the house looking great because the owner may not encourage your flock to return to it every evening. Painting the coop in your ideal color scheme, installing stylish nesting boxes and sleek windows and doors all make for a coop that is great for you as the owner. But convincing your chickens that this is their home will require a few different changes.
Make sure the coop is comfortable and safe for your chickens. This means making sure the temperature is kept at a comfortable level, putting clean chips on the floor, and providing enough space for your flock of chickens. If they don't go to the garden, you can try locking them in the garden for a few days at a time. Of course, make sure that the garden is safe and comfortable. This process will help your chickens get used to the coop and make them more likely to return every night.
Adding lighting to the chicken coop is another great way to encourage your flock to return to their coop. It doesn't have to be a large candle, a small candle is ideal because it won't be too bright. When the sun sets, your chickens will follow the light and return to the coop at the end of the day.
Check for pests and animals
Once you train your chickens, they may not return to their coop at the end of the day. There could be many reasons for this. One of the most common problems that keeps chickens from returning is if they have seen an animal near their chickens. Foxes, badgers and domestic cats and dogs all pose a risk to your chickens. This can deter them from returning to the farm because they are afraid.
Pests like rats and mice also keep your chickens from returning to their coop. Pest infestation is a major danger and as an owner you should avoid it. Keep the house clean and fresh regularly. This creates a more comfortable space for your chickens and reduces the risk of pests.
Cocoon chicken coops
Invest in a high-quality chicken coop that meets all the needs of your flock. Once your chickens are happy and comfortable in their new home, it will be much easier to train them to return to the coop. Experience innovative, comfortable and safechicken farmsI covered the Cocoon chicken coops and houses today.
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FAQs
Allow the chickens to wander out in their own time and free range in your yard. Leave the door open. As dusk falls and it begins to get dark, watch your chickens begin to naturally wander back to their coop for the night.
Why are my chickens staying in their coop? ›
Chickens may not feel comfortable leaving the coop to go outside for many reasons, including they're nervous about new surroundings, scared from a predator attack, or they're cold, sick, or injured. Some chickens who don't want to leave the coop may be getting picked on by chickens in the run.
How do chickens know to go back in the coop? ›
The pineal gland sits above her midbrain behind her eyes, and allows a chicken to sense daylight as well as the changing seasons. So as the day draws to a close, and it starts to get dark, the hens already sense that it is time to go home – to the warmth and safety of the coop.
Why won't my chickens go back in the coop? ›
Good answers re possible mites, or predators trying to get in. You might also consider that your hen is being bullied in the coop by her flock mates. Look carefully for any missing feathers, especially around the head. Also spy on them for awhile after closing them in the coop and watch them getting on the roost.
How far will chickens wander from the coop? ›
There are a few considerations to keep in mind when free ranging your chickens. First, chickens will roam up to roughly 300 feet in any direction from their coop.
Can you leave chickens in coop for a week? ›
If you're only gone for a couple of days, your chickens should be fine as long as they have a clean coop and plenty of food, water, and protection. However, if your vacation will take you away for more than three days, it's a good idea to have someone check in on your chickens.
Should I let my chickens out of the coop? ›
Backyard chickens don't need to free range to be happy, healthy and productive. There are plenty of situations in which free ranging isn't practical. Predators, limited space or intolerant landscaping are all good reasons to keep the birds in their enclosed run.
What time should you let your chickens out? ›
So as long as it's fully “daytime” you're fine to let them out. As soon as you wake in the morning, as long as it's daylight, and you've had your cup of tea to start your day.
Can chickens stay in coop all day? ›
As long as they have food, shelter, water, and security, you can leave them alone for quite some time. Chickens don't need humans, they need the things humans give to them.
Do chickens mourn the loss of chickens? ›
From the safety of the coop, they call out, using the same sound that means “Where are you?” when they are free-ranging in the yard and can't find a missing member of the flock. A grieving hen avoids interacting with the flock and sits in a corner with puffed-up feathers like a chicken that feels ill.
Memory: Studies have shown that chickens can remember up to 100 individual chickens and can even recall specific individuals after months of being separated.
Do chickens need to be locked up at night? ›
Some suggestions for protecting your chickens are: Lock the chickens in their coop at night, even if they are free range during the day. Chickens are intelligent and love to roost in the same place every night. They will come home around the same time at the end of the day and can be locked up for the night.
What time should I put my chickens in the coop? ›
6-week-old chickens should be ready to move from the brooder to the chicken coop if the outdoor temperature is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Make the transition from the brooder to the chicken coop slowly so chicks can acclimate to their new home.
How do you make friends with chickens? ›
Learning to associate you with food and treats goes a long way towards bonding with them. Cracked corn is my flock's favorite treat. I use it as a training tool to teach them how to come in at night or if I need them to be somewhere else while I clean out their coop.
How long should you keep new chickens separate? ›
Manage new birds separately
New birds have often traveled a fair amount and been near other birds – and your existing flock may have built immunity to germs in your area. Keep new birds in a separate room or coop for 30 days and monitor them to make sure they are free of disease and to acclimate them to your backyard.
Should I let my chickens out of the coop in the winter? ›
So yes, let your chickens stay outside in the winter and enjoy the snow!
Will chickens eventually get along? ›
Birds have strong friendships and tend to stick with their own kind. If you are introducing new birds to your flock, always introduce a few together. Not only will the new birds be happier, safety in numbers will usually prevent one bird being targeted by the rest of the flock. Age matters to chickens.
Can chickens find their way home? ›
I've heard of people keeping a new flock in the coop for a few days when they first bring them home. By doing this, the chickens learn to identify this place as the spot to return to in the evening once you've released them to roam about during the day.
