Chickens screaming at sunset, please help!!!

[Minchi]

My chicks have reached 4 weeks old so I am trying to cut them off from the heat lamp. They don't show any behavior of being cold and I check the temp of the cage it does not get below 65 but stays between 75 and 80 most of the time. But when the sun starts to set they start freaking out and screaming until after the sun sets. I want to get them use to the dark since when I get them over to the coop they will have to get use to it. Am I wrong in what I am doing? The one who makes the most noise is also the one who tries to escape every time I open the cage. I also use to spend all day with them but was worried that spending too much time with them now when I won't be able to do it later would be bad for them. I visit them a few times a day and hold them (they still don't like it). Any advice on things I can do to help them???? It breaks my heart to hear them scream.

Also anything to help with boredom at this age would be useful.

 

[HEChicken]

The sooner you can get them outside at this point, the better. I don't think I've ever had chicks inside full-time at 4 weeks. By about 3 weeks they start spending portions of the day outside, increasing the amount of time each day. By 4 weeks they are outside full-time (so if they make a ruckus at bedtime, I wouldn't even hear them). Even chicks I hatched in my incubator on Jan 29th one year were outside full-time by the time they were four weeks old - and where I live it regularly gets below freezing at night in winter.

 

[CGinJCMO]

Are there any windows to let in the moonlight? How about setting up a night light somewhere so they can still see a little bit? Could you also play a radio all night? (I did that when they were younger-don't know if that actually helped them)

My chickens do get a bit flustered when the light suddenly goes out but I never heard them having a problem when the light gradually got darker like yours. Is it just a brief, momentary "scream" or does it continue all night? It may be like a baby when you have to give the baby a night or two to "cry it out" to teach them to self-soothe.

As for entertainment, my chickies would chase the flies that came into their coop (they were in the garage so flies and other bugs could get in easier). My boys also got worms out of the ground and would put a few in the brooder and it was funny watching them scratch around and when they found one, being chased by the other chicks.

I don't know if my suggestions are helpful or not. Good Luck.
CG

 

[Minchi]

I have them in a room with a window, and I keep the blinds open so that they know when the sun come up and goes down. Around the start of sun set they will scream constantly for at least an hour or two.

HEChicken - I will get them out as soon as I can, I take them out for a bit but they have a difficult time with the transportation so not as often as I would like. We are trying to get the coop finished this weekend.

CGinJCMO - everything helps and your advice has given me some ideas. Thanks!

 

[centrarchid]

My chicks like to roost near or on some familar structure. Normally at four weeks they would still be with mother and she provides that structure. Soon mother would be promoting chicks to roost in an elevated location and that location would often have an adult rooster there as well. The adults produce vocalizations that call / sooth young birds causing latter to quite down faster. Orphaned broods can quite themselves faster if they have suitable location they are familiar with. Provide a box laying on side.

 

[galanie]

The night light is a good idea. Of course I say that since I've done it myself. When my first chickens were moved to the coop, I put up a night light and they adjusted well. Now, it's not so much of an issue since I let broodys raise the chicks whenever possible.

 

[Minchi]

There is a street light just outside there window so it is never completely dark in there room. I have also used a small night light but I am sure they just have to get use to it. I will be happy when I can put them outside and they will have more room.

 

[devora]

They don't need a light.

Do they have a roost? The evening squabble is normal but may be exacerbated if they don't have a comfortable place to sleep. Chickens like to be up high then they bed down.

Imagine every night is a slumber party. It's like that. Yammer yammer yammer.

 

[Minchi]

They have three roost at three different levels, the two smallest don't roost much because the big one will knock them down. I put in a third roost in the middle of the other two to prevent her from doing that. She can no longer get a running start and is less likely to knock them off since I added it. There cage is 5x5 so they have a lot of room, and if they want to run around the back of the cage is still open for that.

 

[aggiemae]

My chicks have been having a group hissy fit every night since we took them off the heat lamp a week ago. It takes them about 20-30 minutes of bickering to settle on the roost then they are quite until morning. I don't think they even eat or drink at night anymore. I tried to "help" the first night but after that I just turned off the light and ignored them.

We had the heat lamp on at 60-65 until they were 8 weeks old because until we vented it up into the house for "free" air conditioning (and thru the roof for winter) the heat pump on our new water heater made the utility room really cold (one night is was 47 degrees!)