My girls' first night outside...

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jules983

jules983

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Mar 23, 2016
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So, this is my girls' coop. It has a small attached run and is inside an old 12x16 dog run. I am a first time chicken "mom" and this will be their first night outside. They are 4 and 5 weeks old. Do I just need to close them in the attached run or do I close them inside the coop itself? Their food and water is in the run, they would be separated from that I I closed them in the coop itself...
Thanks in advance for your input!
 
Baby chicks need to be taught to go into a coop at night to sleep. If you simply leave them out in the attached run, they will huddle together there to sleep, and probably get too cold unless you live in the tropics or southern Texas.

It's best to begin by moving them into the coop with their food and water. Let them adjust to their new home for a few days and nights, and then open the coop door and coax them outside.

From that point on, they may go inside when it gets dark, but chances are you will need to coax them into the coop when night comes. I doubt you can get inside the coop yourself, since that's the easiest way to coax them in, but you will need to figure out a way. Sometimes a light inside helps to show them the way.
 
My Girls will be 4 weeks on Wednesday I want to move them to the coop this week. I have everything set up and ready to go, my question is do I need to block them from going in the nesting area until they are ready to start laying? I read that in a book but I have found BYC to be a better resource.
 
Mikejr05 said:
My Girls will be 4 weeks on Wednesday I want to move them to the coop this week. I have everything set up and ready to go, my question is do I need to block them from going in the nesting area until they are ready to start laying? I read that in a book but I have found BYC to be a better resource.
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I would. Otherwise they will sleep in there and where chickens sleep, they poop. It will be an awful mess for you. Just block it off until it's closer to time for them to lay. I think I unblocked mine at about 16 weeks with no problems.
 

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