[benkt]

A couple of weeks ago I added five new chickens (last years hatch) to my existing free-range flock. They all roost in a big coop on stilts and free range during the day, except that all but one of the new chickens won't go in! In the evening they keep going back to around their old chick pen and looking confused.

I've spent a fortnight having to be around the house every evening so I'm ready to go and pick them up and put them on the ramp into their new coop and I'm about fed up with it.

Any good ideas for helping them make the switch?

[northfifeduckling]

chooks are creatures of habit, it takes time to teach them that they should go to a different place now. You'll have to guide them- not carry!! -  in for a while, then they will go by themselves. I hope that they are not bullied by the others, what might be a reason. A cockerel also might help, he'd show them where to go. Although I must say, ours can't count! or you can always try food as a bait? 

[Rosemary]

Try giving them corn at bedtime at the base of the ramp, then "encourage" them to follow the others. Even a we temporary pen would keep them in close proximity to where they should be going. NFD is right though - carrying them back won't work. They have to learn to get there under their own steam.

[benkt]

I tried shooing them in the right general direction but never managed to get them to hop in. It seemed to over excite them and they kept wandering around foraging and ignoring the gathering darkness. So I'd planned to build a temporary pen round the bottom of the coop at the weekend to try that but over the last two nights they seem to have finally figured it out themselves. This evening all five managed to get themselves to bed on their own - thank goodness!

[northfifeduckling]

maybe try doing it a bit later when they have the natural urge for going to bed? Persistence is all...they will learn!