How To Train Free Range Chickens To Return To Your Coop Every Night

Rich shows the steps we took to insure our free range chickens return to our coop every night! We haven't had a lost girl in three years!
#backyardchickens #freerangechicken #homesteading
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[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

No need for calling your hens, or chasing them at night. This will explain the way to get your hens to come home every night without any intervention!

[@TheSHOP411]

Mine have always come back to the coop to roost. Keep the food and water there. Put them in the coop for a few weeks without letting them out and when you do let them out. They know where home is.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The food, water, light and nesting boxes are key. These girls were raised in the outside coop and then moved to the barn. We had to retrain their brain to the new place. Thank you for watching and commenting! Cheers!

[@TheSHOP411]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm that would be difficult with so many. Good job

[@rutha1464]

You hit the nail on the head. If the food and water supply is in the coop, all poultry will return to roost. You have really tame, calm chickens. You must provide really loving care. Good on you! R.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Our hens have a good life. They get to run around all day and we keep them well fed, watered and protected. Thanks for stopping by to watch (and comment)! Have a great weekend!

[@8EACRESHOMESTEAD]

Your chicken barn is a dream! Chicken coop goals! 😍 It's always funny how they congregate right before they go in... then once one goes in, they all go in! 😊

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

If one goes in, most will follow. No one wants to be the low gal on the roost! Thanks for watching!!

[@flowerfolkfarm3553]

Aren’t they gorgeous girls!! So well behaved! That’s awesome rich 🙌🏼 some great tips there! Looks like you had a nice sunset too!!! Hope you guys have a great week and stay cool! 💐🌻

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We had a beautiful sunset and a (hot) beautiful day! It might reach 100 today. Thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers Anita!

[@FulaMediaLife]

Thanks for video

[@LifewithBlindaandChuck]

Awesome, Rich. I really like how you care for the chickens. I think they know they are well taken care of and it shows in the way they respond to you.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They know they're loved. Most of the time they show that love right back. Other than the hens pecking our legs, the girls are well behaved!!

[@Pennies_on_the_dollar]

Ahhh, the bigs and littles😁😁😁😁 Love it!! That is truly amazing how they all return as the evening winds down, who would have known!! Put a buddy on your channel he is getting some bigs, and told him you were the man !! Thank you sir, my apologies for being late!! Cheers Mr Rich, and hi to the Mrs as well!!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for the referral! I'll add a little something extra in your commission check!! It's been a blast furnace here. We're trying to keep the water flowing and keep the new plants alive. Unreal! Cheers Nelson!

[@KrisAndLarry]

Great job "training" your girls!!! This is such a great idea and video!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

A few simple ideas that bring the hens back every night. Once you establish the "home base," the girls don't want to go anywhere else. Thanks for watching Kris & Larry! Cheers!

[@diamondbackecological]

I put a auto deer feeder in the pen timed for half hour before sunset. And a mailbox in the fence about 5 feet up for a auto chickn door

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

There sure are many ways to keep the hens happy, and well fed! Thanks for stopping by to add your great ideas! Cheers David!

[@YogiHollowFarm]

Excellent video Rich! A lot of folks don’t realize how important it is to train the girls to come in the coop. I’ve trained mine to come when I call them in the event of storms or overhead predators. I started training mine in the brooder to come when called. Have a great day!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I've got a special call that I use if there is an issue. The girls come running to me! I think it's important to have a special call. I've got a video ready for this. Obviously, I don't need a call to bring them in at night. They're now on auto-pilot. Thanks for watching and commenting Lisa! Cheers!

[@LovingIdaho]

I must have got smart chicken for over 40 years of my life . I have only had one chicken that had to learn to go back to coop at night . Now if I wanted all the animals ( pigs, cows, horses , goats, chicken , ducks and turkeys) To get back to coops and barn fast , If my livestock guardian dogs let out a alert bark , everything ran full speed back . The ones that hated going in the coops or barn the most was the muscovy ducks . We kept 40 chickens of 4 breeds . They knew where they needed to go at night without any help .

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

This is one of the bigger requests I get, other than how to keep water from freezing and how do I keep my coop warm. Just wanted to show what we do. Since we use two coops and keep the chicks int he barn, there is a little "training" that is needed. Thanks for stopping by to watch!

[@AtHomeWithSheree]

Thanks for sharing these tips. Your girls are just gorgeous and clearly happy and well behaved!! I hope to see them in person at some point. I’m excited to learn from you.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They are well behaved.....most of the time!! They can be naughty at times too! Thanks again for watching. Glad we ran into each other today!!

[@allensherrill850]

Rich, I can’t believe you. You’re not sweating and with that many chooks you should be sweating!

[@allensherrill850]

My California chooks are always hot 🥵 in summer, but they love their home 😎

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I remember it was really hot the day I filmed this. I filmed it in three sessions so I could cool down in between. We just keep the cool water available for them (and us) and we're good! Thanks for stopping by Allen!

[@CampSilkie]

Great set up,I wish I had a barn that big, your chickens are very lucky.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Our girls really like the space. We're going to keep 60 over the winter, so we need the large space. Cheers!

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

Fantastic showing of how organized chaos works in a chicken coop. 😆They have such awesome accommodations, I am not surprised they can't wait to get inside at night. You all have done an absolutely amazing job in caring for them! Thanks for sharing.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They have a nice spot to go at night. No doubt about it. It is organized chaos as they settle in for their rest! Thanks again for watching!

[@enjoyment4all]

Woooow it was amazing and beautiful training for chicken 🐔. Like it very much

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching and commenting! We appreciate the support! Cheers!

[@CubanGardener]

Love that chicken barn brother. Reminds me when i was a kid in our family farm in cuba. Keep it up!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We love having our barn (and so do the hens)! Glad we could remind you of your family farm. Have a great weekend!

[@KitchenGardenTherapy]

amazing, they are so good

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They really are good girls! We love them all (most of the time!). Cheers Slava!

[@MinuteontheMountain]

That's really cool.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They've gotten into a good rhythm and everything works out good. Thanks for watching!

[@ForageGardener]

One of my favorite things about hens is watching then zoom towards the shaking grain xD

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

If they think it's food, they'll come running! Cheers Ben!

[@jimoyler1780]

Great set up! Thanks for sharing

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We're really happy with our barn. It's a great spot for our hens! Thanks for stopping by!

[@crubbythebeagle57]

great

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks Crubby! Woof!

[@JulieAnnScott]

WOW!! WOW 👏!!. WOW!! What a magnificent set up!. That beats the dutch!!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We try to have a great location for our hens (and keep it nice & clean). Thanks for watching and the kind words!

[@DawnRaeB]

What a great setup! I have so many predators here that I'm afraid to leave them out all day (even when I'm home). My routine is .. get home from work, let them out of the run to free range while I make/have dinner, then about 2 hours later, I go to chase them back in. We've gotten into enough of a routine that they all go back into the run pretty well. I don't literally have to chase them. (I do shake an empty feedbag and they all run back to the coop). I am letting them free range for longer periods. They seem much happier when I do.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They are most happy when they free range so they can have more room, and better food. The eggs are incredible! I bet your girls like to get out and explore and find some bugs and food. Thanks for watching Dawn! Cheers!

[@TripleThreatFirearmsDefenseInc]

Now thats awesome, you trained them well. Love the setup.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks Tarsha! It's so nice to have them head home each night. Can't wait to see you get some chickens down the road!! Cheers!

[@TripleThreatFirearmsDefenseInc]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm thank you so looking forward to them.

[@littleridgefarm4073]

Thanks for the info

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I hope it helps! It's worked really well for us! Thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers!

[@littleridgefarm4073]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Love watching others content and getting info for doing live interviews with everyone .. Putting all the info I can out there for everyone

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@littleridgefarm4073 Let me know how I can help.

[@littleridgefarm4073]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm maybe I can interview you ? Would be a good show sharing your Farm life and more

[@littleridgefarm4073]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Email sent

[@gardentours]

Amazing 🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓👍

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you!

[@UsmanFaraz854]

Love the way you presented and your voice is very impressive, you have good practical knowledge and love your chicken and farm land and nice field area 😊😊😊😊

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We definitely love our hens and let them enjoy the entire property. Thanks for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers!

[@di2kaska260]

Nice vlog my friend 👍

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for watching and commenting! We appreciate your support!

[@christopherhopkinson5766]

I only have three they are really well behaved make .more eggs than we can eat came late in life to the idea of keeping them they have a easy time and will die of old age like there owners

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Aren't fresh eggs awesome?! We love them! As you can tell, our hens have a good life here! I'm glad you found chickens and found our channel! Please share your experiences and also let us know if you have questions or need help. Cheers!

[@urbangardeningandchickenke1018]

Excellent 👍

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for stopping by to watch! We appreciate your support! You gotta keep those hens coming back! Cheers!

[@TheCowEmporium]

Hot days to get things growing! Before we had a dog that would kill our chickens we would let them run around and we would crinkle a chip bag and they would all follow that sound right back into the run. 🤣 It was the funniest thing.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

You need the "secret sound" to call the girls! I have a whistle that gets them running to me. Maybe I need to get out a chip bag! Cheers Annette!

[@MayfieldRanch]

Thanks for sharing. Mine come in every night, but I don’t have lights. I didn’t know the lights would be helpful.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The lights help bring them in. The lights are on from 6am - 10pm everyday, all year. The light keeps our girls laying all year 'round.

[@lisamarie9823]

this was fun to watch . Thank You for this

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for stopping by to watch! We appreciate your support! If we can help in anyway, don't hesitate to reach out. Cheers!

[@805BBQJUNKIE]

wow i really enjoyed this video my brother

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching. I bet you'd like to train them to return each night and have one jump on the grill! Cheers!

[@hardnackfarms1736]

That’s funny chicken selfie lol. I wished I had chickens they make you some great compost. Have a blessed day! Wendy🐞🌸🌺🦋

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

That compost that the girls give me is absolute gold!! Thanks for watching Wendy!!

[@hardnackfarms1736]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm I can only imagine. I am jealous

[@buahtinbatam7324]

Nice sharing

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching!

[@BARBSCOUNTRYHOME999]

Awesome set-up Rich.. Looks like u might need more high roosting spots lol.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Everyone wants to be on the top rung. I don't have many spots left for top rungs!! Thanks for watching Barb!

[@chelseahappyhome]

Hahahahah I love that 22 are on the same piece 🤣

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

It is amazing that they all want to be on top. It's 95 degrees and they want to snuggle in. The pecking order does weird things to the girls!!

[@sandraengstrand2784]

Somehow I was expecting lots of action and feathers flying… This is just beautiful!!! 💕

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Sorry for the lack of action! The girls are pretty mellow after a long day of free ranging! Thanks for watching Sandra!

[@sandraengstrand2784]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm No, it was a pleasant surprise to see how calm and quiet they all come home!! 💕

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@sandraengstrand2784 Evenings are beautiful on the farm. Like you noted, all the girls are relaxed. They're grabbing a last minute snack, preening and getting ready for the night. The most drama is when they peck my leg (or Holly's)! A fun time to relax and enjoy the sunset with our girls! Cheers!

[@sandraengstrand2784]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm I had no idea, but that's so amazing!!

[@BroqueCowgirlHomestead]

I so wish I could let ours free range.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Why not? Predators? Neighborhood rules? Thanks for watching Gwen!

[@BroqueCowgirlHomestead]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Predators....we have the full spectrum. Mountain lions and black panthers, bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, possums, skunks, hawks....

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@BroqueCowgirlHomestead Wow! We have coons at night around and occasionally a pack of coyotes. The girls are all packed up by then. During the day, our only risk is feral cats and hawks. Sorry you have so many predators. I love that our hens can free range. Cheers Gwen!

[@beesandseeds]

Pretty toasty day🌞. The littles are getting big! I was wondering how many hens you have. Quite a few! Okay now that shelf doesn’t look comfy 😁

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Yesterday was a blast furnace. 100 degrees and a 20+ mph wind. It was miserable for everyone. We have 43 Bigs right now and 40 Littles! A lot of ladies!! You're right about the shelf. It doesn't look comfortable, but they love getting up there!

[@jandcschwartz]

Do you count them before you close the door?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We used to count them every night. If we think someone is missing, or something seems wrong, we'll count. Only once have we been short - one girl had gotten into the garden and couldn't get out! We found her quick. Cheers!

[@MarinePigVa]

My question is how do you protect them from predators?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The hens have plenty of places to hide (barn, coop, a stand of lilacs, under our deck, etc.). They hang near us while we're outside. Otherwise, they're on their own. Over the five years we've had free ranging chickens, we've lost a couple to cars on the road, a couple to hawks, one to a fox and we believe one ran away. We've had hundreds of chickens over that time and our loss rate is very low. They are very good at staying safe and alerting the flock to predators.

[@cf-ry1zo]

Do you eat your chickens? I know it’s a reality but one I believe I’ll be struggling with once I begin a chicken coop.

[@doorgunner154]

Lookin good there son

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you very much! We love our gals and they seem to want to come home each night!!

[@bricerobertson8285]

Hey great videos! I recently built a coop using your design on the coop inside your barn. I made my roosting bars out of 2x4’s with the narrow edge up and the wide edge up and down. In this video it kind of looks like you made yours with the wide edge up. Is that a better way? Comfort is my goal for the chickens. Thanks!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Keeping the wide edge on top is critical. The hens use three points of contact to rest comfortably. Two are their feet and one is their breastbone. They can't make all three points of contact with the small side of a 2x4. Go flat and your hens will be happy! Hope this helps!

[@bricerobertson8285]

Thanks it helps a lot! I will be rebuilding the roosting bars today!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@bricerobertson8285 I've got a video on building roosting bars and it shows how I held them in place on our roosting set. Check it out.

[@mastiffpeople4868]

If Bob Odenkirk and Alec Baldwin had a baby...would be this guy

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I hope this is a compliment! I better call Saul to get the hens back to the coop! Cheers!

[@gardeningmadeeasywiththeol3945]

Hi Rich, really interesting how you are able to train the chickens and how well behaved they are. In the heatwave do they want to stay in the barn to keep out of the sun? If outside foraging, do they look for shade under trees, hedges etc.? Best Wishes, Paul & Nadj.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

During the heat of the day, they spend a lot of time in the shade. We provide a lot of water and cold treats (frozen fruit, ice, etc.). They like to be outside in the breeze unless they are laying an egg. It's been like an oven and today it is pushing 100 again! Stay cool Paul & Nadj!!

[@bighairyfoot1217]

..Hail Yeah!..

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

That's what I said!! Thanks for stopping by!

[@bighairyfoot1217]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm ..You say that now but.. (I'm Norwegian) *Lol* Yah I don't know why we all can't just get along (Give us are fish back!) my great grand parents (Sandbeck) settled Minnesota (Adkins) and become friendly farmers, until something pissed off grandfather and he decided to win WWI (*Lol*) really awesome setup you have there brother n thanks for your kind word..

[@cf-ry1zo]

I was thinking Alec Baldwin myself 😅

[@gardeningOnThePrairie]

Okay so how do your girls handle an impending storm and you want them in earlier than normal? Mine act like I'm an idiot and run away from the coop, how dare I try and put them to bed early even if it's pouring rain! Sigh haha.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We let them run their normal routine. If it's a daytime storm, most head to the barn and a few will get under a large evergreen or under the lilacs. We've only had one storm where a couple stayed out. Holly ran out and grabbed two hens to get them out of the hail. Otherwise, they usually head to the barn.

[@xxvodanhxx]

Do they sleep well with the light on ?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

There is only one light that stays on all night. It is dim enough that it doesn't disturb anyone. It is bright enough that the hens can see enough to move to another roost. It works perfect.

[@primitivedaisy]

So do you recommend not having food and water outside the coop, making it easier for them to know to go in at night? We only have 11 chickens who are 8 wks old, and are finishing up their coop and run, so they have not been out to free range yet. Thanks! 😊🐓

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We have water and food available in the barn (their run) 24 hours a day. They all know that there is food and water there. They will return throughout the day to get food and water. During very hot weather, we'll also add some pans of water outside in the shade. I want to make sure they have access to cool water during the heat of summer. Don't put food outside. Predators and other animals may find it and I want to train them to come "home" for food. I hope this makes sense. Let me know if you've got other questions. Cheers!

[@primitivedaisy]

I followed your advise with our 9 week old chickens. It was the second night in their new run, the water and food are on their coop only, all but one went in! The first night we were chasing them down to get them in before a storm hit. Hopefully they’ve got the idea, it always feels like I’m traumatizing them when we have to catch them. Thank you so much for the advise! 😊🐓🐝

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@primitivedaisy A lot of it comes down to the light. Hens don't like being in the dark and don't see well in the dark. If the lights are on, they will use the lights to slowly move "home." Two parts - 1) they know where the food/water/roosts are & 2) they head to the light. Keep me posted on your progress! It'll happen!!!

[@primitivedaisy]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Well, two weeks later and they head in every night on their own! We have an automatic coop door, and have it set for a little later so they all make it in. I’m usually out there soon after they make their way in to close up the run door and take a head count. Thanks so much for your very helpful videos. 😊🐓

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@primitivedaisy That is awesome! So glad you have them trained now! We now have a small automatic door on the barn door. It works great and the hens let themselves in! I'll have a review soon. Keep us updated how your hens are doing! Cheers!

[@footballphobic9437]

What are the fans for ...explain please because i wish to start chicken farm and i live in very hot area

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We use the fans to move air around. The only opening to the barn is the large door. There isn't a cross breeze so the fans help keep moving air around. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!

[@footballphobic9437]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm tanx 4 being helpful

[@bigjim383]

You make it sound like you have to deal with each one individually. Lock them up in their coup for 2 -3 days with good feed and water, Then let them out , do not force them out and they will return to the coup every day, it is not rocket science for goodness sake.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We were trying to show that it's not rocket science. We had a lot of people asking how we did it so we made a video! It is pretty simple, like you said. Thanks for stopping by to watch and comment. Cheers!