6 week old chicks in coop/run Now with Pics of the COOP

[chickadeedeedee]

My husband built me a very nice and secure chicken coop with attached run. It is completely enclosed by small opening hardware cloth, even the floor of the run. The coop is built of plywood and the top secures down with eye hooks.

My question is. I have moved my 6 week old chickies into the coop, with a light, and have been locking the hatch door that opens from the coop to the run. Is it necessary for me to close and latch this door at night to keep the chicks in the coop? I am pretty positive that nothing can get into the run/coop. (unless of course something chews thru the wood)

Please help because I feel bad when I over sleep and have to run outside to let the babies out in the morning.

Thanks,

 

[bigstack]

I'm in the same boat. But I feel better knowing they may have to be late, rather than having to bury them. BUT yes, they should stay in the coop all night. Mine hate to be out after dark. If they happen to be out after dark because the motion light is still on (if I am outside working) As soon as it goes off they make a Bee line straight for the coop. I leave a small nightlight on so they can find water at night. It is so funny to see and hear them heading for the coop door. They all quickly get into single file line and head for the door making a lil kinda cooing sound! It is too cute!!! It's kinda like they are saying follow me, follow me.... this way, this way.....over here, over here!!! LOL As long as you feel safe enough to leave them out I see no problem with letting them be their own keepers! (per say)

Good luck and God Bless!

 

[chickadeedeedee]

Thanks, mine are ready for bed at around 8 when it starts getting dark and all but one go up the ramp to the coop. Dot (my Leghorn girl) has to be tucked in, she can go up the ramp but seems to be spoiled and waits for me to come and lock up and put her in the coop. She climbs onto my hand and needs a snuggle bit before bed I guess. I do have a light on in the coop all night though, is that good or bad? I turn it off in the morning. (will soon have a timer on it) Do they need a light in there at night or is that a no no? (they seem afraid of the dark, they don't go in the coop during the daytime when its dark inside there.

Yeppers Im brand new if ya couldn't tell

In the morning I can hear mine scrambling for the door too, and yes it is cute. I even try to sneak up to the pen without making any noise and they hear me somehow lol.

 

[TipsyDog]

I wouldn't have a light on in the coop all night. It will disturb their sleep and cause stress. I have a light on a timer that goes on before dusk and then turns off about an hour after dark this time of year.

As far as opening and closing the coop, I had the same problem you have. I sleep late and sometimes I don't make it home before dark (especially in the winters) so I bought an automatic door closer/opener. I LOVE IT! Now the coop door is closed at dark and opens at dawn. The girls are happy and I have no guilt.

This is the one I have and it's worked PERFECT for the past year. http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/catalog/2100-2107.html

 

[chickadeedeedee]

OHH WOW Tipsy Dog that is so awesome! My husband is going to love/hate you for showing me that!!! I love it!!! Ok so the timer is going to be done this week. I am awake and can turn off the light after dark until then. Man is that going to freak the babies out at first... oops.

Here it just gets so hot even early in the mornings that I am scared if I don't have the door opened by 6.5/7 am Im going to fry them. (normal nighttime temps are 70's +) Its a humid heat also so no circulating air (lots of vents) really makes it hot.

Thanks for the information!

 

[TipsyDog]

Yeh, I know it's not cheap, but I can honestly say the auto door is WORTH EVERY PENNY!!! Sorry DH!

 

[chickadeedeedee]

Hey anything that makes life easier and less stressful is great! He won't mind that part I don't think, he just gives me a hard time about having to "build my hobbies"

He is taken with the chickens also and is kind of a perfectionist or engineer or something and has really gotten into building my coop lol. Last night he let me set "Dot" (my LH chick) on his knee outside when I was snuggling her for tuck in. She was very content and even dozed off.

 

[bigstack]

at first I had the heat lamp( red bulb) But now its warmer I use a 40 watt red party bulb. My coop is 12x10 and I have it about 2 feet off the ground. They roost above the light. They seem to be really noisey when I turn it off at night..... so I just leave it on. I turn it off when I open the coop or when ever my DW remembers to go out. LOL
I feel better knowing they can find the water at night just in case. too


God Bless!

 

[chickadeedeedee]

I have a low watt bulb in there, I think its a 45 (gonna have to look). I know they will be fussy when I turn it off so going to try it tonight to get them used to it. Our backyard light is on and I know that the cleaning drawer will allow light to come in from the bottom inside and the coop is positioned where the light will shine on it. The only way into the coop is from the run or from the top which hinges so it raises up when needed and that is very tight when secured so no light gets in at the top, just from the cleaning drawer at the bottom inside. How much noise can 4 chicks make at night anyways?? We have birds (wild birds) that roosts at night in the trees above the coop and they make more noise than the chicks. (I live in town but my neighbors are cool but I want to be considerate also)

Another question, should I put hay/pine shreds in the bottom of the coop inside? It has the hardware mesh on the bottom also but has a cleaning drawer underneath it that I lay newspapers on and take out weekly to clean and sanitize. (stainless steel). I have seen many that don't put anything in the bottom of the coop so was wondering if its best one way or the other.

I am like you I feel better knowing that they know that they are safe.

Thanks for helping

 

[TipsyDog]

Quote:
Young chicks that still need heat can have the heat lamp on (red is better) through the night. When they are feathered, no light is required. Chickens will not drink or eat at night when its dark. They will not come off the roost until first light in the morning. That is pretty much true of most birds as it is their only natural defense against predators. Quite, roosting and little movement through the night. Light will also interfere with a laying hens biological "clock" as she matures. Like most animals, they too require darkness for rest.