Chicks afraid of thunderstorms?!?!?!?!?

[stnkyferit]

I put my 3 week olds out in their coop the past couple of days because I figured with the heat wave we had, they would be warm enough to hang outside for a day/night or two. They did GREAT as they were happy they had so much more room than in the brooder. I checked them every 2 hours to make sure they were fine and they were - happy, eating, drinking, pooping...having a good time...

Then today, after being out for 3 days, I went to close them in for the night (close the doggie door completely whereas I had wire covering the opening but dont trust it at night so I close them in) and they FREAKED OUT about being in the dark. It was so sad and pitiful. They were totally fine the other 2 nights and didnt make a peep about being in the dark, but tonight was different. The only thing I can think of is that we had a BAD thunderstorm - it was BAD, not exaggerating. They were fine before and after it, but when I closed them in just now it was like I was locking them away in terror! I did so when it was still light because yet again, another thunderstorm was rolling in.

I had to bring them back in the house....

Ideas?!?!?!?

Am I going to have to have chickens in my home every time there is a thunder storm?!?!? LOL Its bad enough the dog has a panic attack and needs to be sedated, because if not, he pees the floor!

 

[stnkyferit]

bump??

 

[RonC]

If you have electricity at the coop you may put a night light in with them. I used a regular screw in flouresant in the heat lamp fixture but later switched to a regular night light. Mine made such a fuss the first few nights they were in their coop. Just left it in there, makes it easier to check on them after dark too. They should be ok after they get used to the new coop. The fact they are in a strange place and then the storm too scared them more. Had a friends dog that got so scared she dislocated her hip going under their fence.

 

[stnkyferit]

I put a tap light in but by then, they were just totally freaked out (

 

[Aschenfire]

Let them get used to it. Tough love. Mine are in a pretty much open run with a roof over one end, and when we get storms, they all go to roost and sit there till it's over. The first storm or two was rough, but they WILL learn not to be afraid of the noise and light show. You have to just ignore them. They are birds...birds can handle a thunderstorm.

 

[gardendufus]

Yep...tough love. Quit bringing those birds back into the house. My coop is also basically an open air coop.

We don't have many thunderstorms here, but a few (I lived in Oklahoma for awhile so I know what a violent thunderstorm is). If my birds can live with my inconsiderate neighbor working on his motorcycle and revving the engine at all hours of the night, I figure they will survive a thunderstorm or two. They will adapt.

 

[stnkyferit]

LOL - well I will be bringing them back in at night anyway as being only 3 weekers, night time would be too chilly....

 

[dainerra]

how cold is it getting at night? mine have been out full time since a little over 2 weeks. Then again, I only use heat for the first few days to a week unless it's below 50 degrees.

 

[stnkyferit]

The past couple of nights we were in a heat wave so it was 75ish....we're kind of back to normal so its not uncommon to hit the 50's at night...