Chickens barely get out of the coop

[cesargtapia]

Hey folks! This is my first message in this forum. I just got my first 4 hens, and I don't know anything about chicken care yet, but I'm super excited about it

My chickens have only been here for 3 days, so they barely get out of the coop. I moved their food and water out of the coop, and they get out to eat and drink, and go right back in.

I know that it will take some time, so that's ok, but in the meantime I'm not sure what I should do at night. I don't want to bring the water into the coop, because they spill it and make a mess with the bedding, but I'm not sure if it's ok to keep them without water for 13-14 hours (around here sun goes down at 7pm, and I open the coop door around 8am-9am).

Thank you!

 

[BDutch]

…. I'm not sure if it's ok to keep them without water for 13-14 hours (around here sun goes down at 7pm, and I open the coop door around 8am-9am).

This is too long. In the morning after sunrise the chickens need to have access to water or food with moisture in it.

Can you hang a nipple waterer in the coop? Give salad or cucumber? Add a automatic pop door openere? Make the run safer and leave the pop door to the run open?

Enjoy your chickens!

 

[Devyn Nagy]

Hey folks! This is my first message in this forum. I just got my first 4 hens, and I don't know anything about chicken care yet, but I'm super excited about it

My chickens have only been here for 3 days, so they barely get out of the coop. I moved their food and water out of the coop, and they get out to eat and drink, and go right back in.

I know that it will take some time, so that's ok, but in the meantime I'm not sure what I should do at night. I don't want to bring the water into the coop, because they spill it and make a mess with the bedding, but I'm not sure if it's ok to keep them without water for 13-14 hours (around here sun goes down at 7pm, and I open the coop door around 8am-9am).

Thank you!

What's the weather like where you are? Right now mine are spending most of the day in the coop as it is cold and breezy and they don't like the snow. That could be a reason.

 

[cesargtapia]

Can you hang a nipple waterer in the coop? Give salad or cucumber? Add a automatic pop door openere? Make the run safer and leave the pop door to the run open?

I'll look into the nipple waterer, that could work (if they are smart enough to learn how to use them! )

In the meantime I'll put a bowl with some juicy veggies and fruits in the coop during nighttime. Thank you for the ideas!

What's the weather like where you are? Right now mine are spending most of the day in the coop as it is cold and breezy and they don't like the snow. That could be a reason.

It's not too cold, it's hardly freezing these days. -1/-2°C (28-30F) during the night, and well above 5 or even 10 during the day.

I'd say that they are still too scared to go on adventures

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Why do you open the door at that time? I have an automatic door that closes at about 6:30pm and opens at 7:15am. It’s adjustable, so I have it close just after sunset and open at sunrise. I do have food and water in the coop, but only the youngest (hungriest) girls eat after they go inside.

 

[cesargtapia]

Why do you open the door at that time? I have an automatic door

I need to open myself, I don't have an automatic door. Maybe in the future, but I already spent too much on the coop, feeders, food, bedding... Too much expense at once for now

I do have food and water in the coop, but only the youngest (hungriest) girls eat after they go inside.

That's great! How do you keep them from spilling the water all over the bedding?

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Maybe you could find something flat and raised to out the waterer on? I have a heater for the winter that keeps the chickens from spilling it. You can kind of see it to the left!

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

That's a long time without food and water! Though adult hens might be fine, younger chicks or pullets need nourishment much more often. It's best to keep them hydrated whenever they're awake, especially in warm weather.

I highly recommend nipple waterers. Totally eliminates spilling and much healthier for your chickens because the water stays clean. You can easily train them. Remove the other waterer first. Then constantly tap the nipple when they're close by and can see you. Keep doing this every so often. Their curious natures tend to take over pretty quickly. To keep them coming back until they get it (which won't take long), you could also rub or place a bit of treat on the nipples.

After that first training session, my new chicks have always learned from my older ladies and take to it right away.

Regarding going out, I don't know your current climate but very few chickens like harsh winter weather and will prefer to stay in the coop. Also, I agree with @cesargtapia that they likely need more time to settle in and learn that their new location isn't a scary place.

Edited to add... yes as @tlcmurphy mentioned, chickens will roost at sundown and won't eat or drink until sunrise. But they'll immediately want water & feed as soon as the sun is up, and then they'll graze off and on all day long.

They can regulate this very well, so if possible, it's better to provide food & water from sunup to sundown. Also note that the more dominant hens will take the feeder and waterer first, while those lower in the pecking order have to wait their turn.

I free-range and notice that they don't all come in at once but instead it's a slow trickle to get food and water all day long. This another reason to leave it out all day. Hope this helps you get started. Welcome to the wonderful world of chickens!

 

[tlcmurphy]

Hens don’t eat or drink in the dark, so the issue is when you open up the coop.

Is your coop attached to a predator proof run, or open directly to the outside? If the former, don’t close the coop door at night and leave the food/water in the run.

Mine go into the coop at dusk and I leave the water in the run. They get up at dawn, and I give their food back at 7am before work. I don’t like to leave the food out as it draws rats

 

[townchicks]

Get up at sunrise, throw on a robe and slippers and go let them out. You got chickens, this is your life now.