New bantams - how get in coop?

[goldendog]

Hi
Please advise me! I’m new to chicken keeping and collected 5 young bantams yesterday. They’re beautiful but I’m struggling to get them in the coop at dusk. Both evenings so far have resembled a “carry on” film with me chasing them round the run!
I’ve tried putting a trail of food up the ramp - no help. What can I try? I’m worried the chickens will associate me with being chased!

[Dnadoon]

Watching with interest
Mine take themselves at dusk. I now just go and shut the door at 7.15 PM ( just before dark here atm)
I would like to lock them up abit earlier but like you could nt get them in.
Mine free range mostly but I get them back into their run at about 6pm by shaking a tin of corn ( very useful tool...they come running bless them)

[Waveifyouknowme]

Put a torch in the coop, they will migrate to the light.

[goldendog]

Thanks for the replies. It’s not going well! Night 3 and still had to catch them all in the run to put them in the coop. One tried to fly and got caught in the wire of the cage! Lots of stress.
I wonder if I’m trying to put them to bed too early (6pm). I don’t feel that I can leave it any later as if it’s actually dark I have no chance of catching them!
I think I must be doing something wrong.

[underneaththeash]

Ours have just walked in when it got dark.

[Sarahlou63]

It'll take a few days for them to get the idea. Go out at dusk when they're getting dozy and calmly put them in the coop. Don't get yourself and them worked up - it helps if you've got some to help close them in.

[ChickensMightFly]

Are they free range or in a run? If they are free range I would confine them for three days so they get used to where home is, then allow them freedom, they should go to roost automatically then

[Mustardfan]

I think they will Probably just go by themselves if you leave them. Mine go in at about 6.35 right now, I think.

[Sunnydaysstillhere]

Always thought you had to keep them locked in for at least a few days?

[goldendog]

After 4 nights the hens worked out how to get in the coop and just strolled up the ramp on their own. Since then they’re off to bed at 6pm like clockwork. What a relief! Thanks for all the help.

[Dnadoon]

Great news. 👍