afraid of the dark

[windyacre1]

I just moved my 8 week old chicks into their coop outside and they do not like the dark, I feel bad they are trying to get out of the window it seems like. They are chirping quite loudly. Should i leave a light on for them or will they get used to it, i feel bad.

 

[eggbert420]

They will get used to it. Is it ther fist night without a heat source? If so they might be cold.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us.

Ideally, the chicks should be weaned off a heat source and acclimatised to being outdoors, before spending their first night out. This link of a search may be helpful to you: https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=Brooder+to+coop

Best wishes
CT

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, windyacre, and ! Great to have you in our community! Good link provided by CTKen! Best wishes with your flock and thanks for joining BYC!

 

[windyacre1]

Thank you, I did wean them off from the heat source, but I always kept a night light on for them and i am not a fan of having anything electric in the coop for fear of fire. They are in a big barn and then in a coop my son built for me which has all sorts of places they can snuggle in the straw, because they are not all roosting at night yet.

 

[windyacre1]

Thank you for the welcome, I have to ask i see you have a chocolate lab as do I, he is my biggest concern, he hates birds, I am afraid to let them free range because of him, I already had them in a temporary run and he growled and ran around the coop trying to get at them. i had to be there the whole time he was out. I am envious because yours is laying there like he is protecting them. What is the secret?

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under windyacre1

Welcome!

I heard a great tip the other day which might help you. Rather than run electricity out to the coop with a light etc pop a solar charged garden light or something similar in the coop until they acclimatize. You can leave it charging in the sun all day and then pop it in the coop just before they go to bed. Plus, if the light gradually fades during the evening it will help them get used to the dark.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[windyacre1]

Thanks so much I found a solar light on Amazon, along with a lot of other fun stuff, thanks so much.

 

[N F C]

Looks like the tip about the solar light was spot on...best of luck to you and thanks for joining us!