Don't let them pile up in corners!

our seven week old chicks have been doing great in their new coup, the back room in the old house until tonight when we had a terrific storm. My DH and I had been to town. I went out to check on the chicks and they were all crowded in one corner between the plastic trashcan that holds their food and the wall. I turned on the light, they had just graduated to "no light at night", and took a head count. That was when I discovered one missing. I searched the dark corner and found one lying on the floor where they had been piled up. I was so upset thinking she was dead as she never moved at all even when I touched her. I finally reached down to pick up her body when she moved. My DH looked at her and said he thought she might have had the air knocked out of her as she was soon up running around. I learned my lesson!! I moved the trashcan so if they did go to the corner they would have plenty of room and would not be piled up upon one another. Needless to say, I left the light on for tonight and may do so whenever it storms now and hope we don't lose power. That was a frightening experience.

 

Barg, turn on their light and if you only have four and the coop is very large I would put up something around them...kind of like a three sided barrier to block the drafts. Just be careful with straw and a the light! Mine were comfortable with the light on last night and I went back out to check on them in the middle of the night and they were spread out and roosting.
Now my DH did have me rearrange the contents of the coop so there was no "tight" corners for them to pile up into. Now there is no way for them to pile up....I don't think?

 

DD-darling daughter
DW-darling wife
DS-darling son
or dear or whatever your mood at the time. ha