Chicks FREAKING OUT at being in coop for the first time

[KZ]

I put my 4 and 5 week olds into the coop last weekend. I did it during the day and put a light in there for them, for both heat and light. They seem to be doing OK. They were scared to be moved (bunch of "chickens"), but since there are 26 of them and they are all together, they seemed to take the move pretty well once they were in there. It's been 3 days and they are running around, pooping and eating and having a great time. One time I did turn off the light (thinking it would be no big deal because they get some daylight inside the coop) and they all ran into the corner and freaked out. So, for the OP, it is likely it was mainly being in a new place in the dark that caused the big freak out. I know they are enjoying the room to fly around and run in.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
Would they be able to get in & out of the brooder by themselves? I think that might work, having something familiar in there with them to make the transition easier. I think it is a great idea.
I also leave a light on in the coop at all times. In the winter it is a heat bulb and in summer it is a red 25 watt incandescent bulb.
I just had an instance about a week ago where mine did not want to go back into the coop at dusk because it was so warm out, & we had unplugged their heat bulb. (Needless to say, that weather didn't last more than a day). Well, when they did finally decide to go in, they couldn't see the roosts to jump on them. Luckily, we have a camera in the coop & saw the problem, so up went a nightlight.

 

[ninabeast]

Oh, yes. I'd leave the brooder as is, but open, so they could go in for comfort or out for adventure. Should work, right? Seems good, in theory. It also seems that giving them a night light is a big help. Great tip!

Now we just have to build the $%&^*% coop! Work begins this weekend.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:

In theory, it sounds perfect, but what do we know?

Good luck on the coop project. I sure hope the weather cooperates for you!

 

[ninabeast]

We're building inside an existing (gorgeous) barn, so two walls, two doors, the floor and a window are pre-existing (score!). Just need to get the other two walls up, the ceiling, line the floor with some linoleum, and we should be most of the way there.

She said.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
Oooohhhhhh! I am so jealous! You are so lucky! I looooove old barns.
Good luck on a speedy project. And hopefully hassle-free.

You'll have to post some pics when it's done, or as you go.

 

[mshirk]

I wanted to update on what happened last night. I decided to leave them in the coop, and eventually they settled down (took quite awhile... over an hour). Intermittent peeping after for another hour.

This morning they trotted out like nothing had happened.

The big thing though, this afternoon I saw one go up the ramp, and go INTO THE COOP PART! then come back down the ramp. Obviously the coop part is no longer a big bad monster, at least for one of them.

We'll see how it goes tonight.

Thanks for the handholding everyone!!

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
Good luck. Glad to hear it all worked out so far. Keep us posted.

 

[MareeZoCool]

Chickens are pretty smart creatures. They will adapt.

 

[ninabeast]

Glad to hear it turned out well. Phew!!

Oooohhhhhh! I am so jealous! You are so lucky! I looooove old barns.
Good luck on a speedy project. And hopefully hassle-free. wink
You'll have to post some pics when it's done, or as you go.

Absolutely! I plan on meticulous photojournalism. If it turns out well, maybe I'll post a page here. There aren't a lot of coops in the coops section, that I've seen, built into existing barns. Ours was built in the late 1800s by a crazy Russian carriage maker, and it is very special. Glad to be doing something "farmy"with it, at last.​