Getting chickens to learn and adapt to new ways of living can be difficult. This article explains how to get chickens used to a new coop.
You can get chickens used to a new coop by introducing them to the coop straight from the boxes they came in. You can also train them with food. These two methods allow them to associate the coop with home and comfort. If push comes to shove you can also cut their feathers if they try to fly out.
You and I both know the feeling of settling into new surroundings, it generally takes a while. But eventually, we adapt and our lives go on. It’s exactly the same thing with chickens. Getting them used to a new coop can be a stressful venture. Given the fact that they are creatures of habit, and we can’t exactly communicate with them (except maybe for Dr Dolittle)
Understanding the process of getting your chickens used to their new coop will not only make life easier for you. But it will also make your chickens healthier and less stressful for you to manage. So, how does it work?
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How to get chickens used to a new coop
Below are a few things you can do to get them familiar with their new coop.
Introduce them to their new coop: When you get your new chickens, they will probably come in a cardboard box. This is where you can first introduce them to their new home. Their coop should already have food and water placed inside. You can even fix some light in there to provide warmth. Once you receive the chickens in their cardboard box, place the box (with the top open) inside the coop. Keep them locked in the coop for a few days without letting them out. By the time you release them a few days later, they should be familiar with the coop.
Train them with food: When it’s time for them to retire for the night, lead them into the coop with food and lock it once they are all inside. Repeating this process, for a few days in a row, should train them to go to the coop on their own.
Keep them from flying out: If they fly out a lot, you can cut some of their feathers to keep them from flying out and escaping.
You should be concerned when your chickens don’t use their coop. Being out can expose them to predators, mites, lice and the harsh elements outside. The coop is meant to protect them from all of that and also keep them from escaping into the unknown. Also, if your chickens are layers, you should train them to use their coop if you don’t want them to lay their eggs in an unknown or hidden place.
How long till chicks are settled in?
Some chickens, if not properly settled in, can opt to sleep in trees, your roof, or the highest place they can find around. Usually, it takes a week or two to get them settled in. But if you want the settling in to happen faster, you can use the tips provided above.
Ensure that they spend their first few days in their new coop. After a day or two, open the coop and lure them out with food. The same tactic will get them back in the coop at night. After a week, they will come out of the coop on their own and retire back there when they’re ready to sleep.
Can chickens stay in the coop all day?
Yes, chickens can stay in the coop all day without any problem. For example, on extremely cold days, or when the snow gets heavy, it’s a good idea to let them stay in their coop all day to protect them.
It’s good to leave them in the coop when the weather is bad. But you shouldn’t do this all the time. Pecking order is a real thing among these birds. It can result in fights and injuries if they are left in confined spaces for too long.
Another reason why you shouldn’t let them stay in their coops for too long is to prevent them from forming bad habits. Egg breakage can happen when they get restless, and because of their curious nature, they will taste the egg. Once they get a taste, it will difficult to get them to stop eating their eggs.
When to let chicks out the coop
Let your chicks out the coop in the mornings and bring them back in at night. You should form a routine of letting your chickens out in the morning so they can move around their run or pen. When they want to retire for the night, they should sleep in their coops. This routine will help you keep them healthy, prevent them from forming bad habits and will also protect them from raccoons and other predators.
If your chickens are laying eggs you can let them stay in longer than the others. The coop should also be open so they can have free entry when it’s time to lay their eggs.
How to get chicks to return to the coop at night?
If the chickens have settled in properly, they should already know where the coop is and go there on their own. If they don’t go there on their own, it means you still need to do it manually until they get the hang of it. Use food to lead them into the coop, and repeat the process until they go there on their own.
If you’re interested in chickens you may also be interested in these articles: why do chickens dig holes, do chickens yawn, why do chickens eat rocks, how to get chickens back in the coop, when do chickens get feathers, click the links to read more.
