Adjusting 5 wk old chicks to coop

[Beriel79]

I moved our 5 wk old chicks to their permanent home today. It's been 60's during the day and 50's at night. I have their ecoglo plugged in so they have their heat source if needed. It's getting dark and when I just checked on them all 9 were huddled on top of the 5 gallon bucket waterer in a heap of beaks and feathers. Is this normal? I thought for sure they would be under the ecoglo. I figured maybe they wanted to roost to sleep so I moved them all to the top roost and they all stayed there (I think).

Is it normal for them to try different spots when they are moved to the coop? Do I need to "train" them to use the roosts or will they just know? Should I be worried they are not under the ecoglo?

I'm a rookie, so any tips are appreciated!

 

[SIMZ]

It's a nerve-wracking thing, isn't it?

Don't be concerned because they aren't under their ecoglow. At 5 weeks they're probably well able to tolerate some chill.

They will eventually figure the roost out, but you can certainly help them along by putting them on it. They may sleep in a pile for a while, but they'll eventually figure out the roost.

They'll also probably make lots of peeping and chirping sounds at dusk. It's just something they do at that age while they're figuring out what to do at night.

Best of luck with your little ones!