First Night In Coop - Chicks Are FREAKING OUT!

[amyc]

I put my 11 13 week old chicks out in their coop tonight (they were staying in a pen in the garage) and I just went out to check on them and they are FREAKING! Making lots of strange noises, trying to roost on me (they normally don't even want to be picked up), and what looks like general "nervous" behavior.

I checked all around - no predators that I could see (I also set a couple of traps around the coops - those weren't touched). I've got a light on for them, so they should be able to see OK.

Is this normal?

*My 7 week old chicks are spending their first night in the coop too - but they're not freaking out at all. Go figure!

 

[Thomas423]

Sounds like they are "chicken" of the new place.
Try putting them in it during the day so they can get used to it.

 

[Silkiefan]

oh my gosh, check out my recent post : Barred Rock dosn't like bed time, wants mama? As I type, she's on my shoulder scratching my hair in hopes that I'll sit on her I think.
I don't know if it's normal. Maybe it's baby behavior? this is ridiculous!

 

[FarmerDenise]

It takes them a couple of days to get used to the new surroundings. Mine make a fuss the 1st couple of nights also. Then they get their routine down and figure out who gets to roost where; with minor changes every evening.

 

[Mahonri]

I agree with young ones, it's probably best to put them in during the day to get used to the new digs.

 

[amyc]

They had today to figure out their coop - so its not completely new.

The worst part is - part of their pen in the garage was built using a screen door - which is now in the coop - so I couldn't put them back even if I wanted to!

Hopefully they'll calm down - I'm going to go out and check on them again (except this time I'll just peek in through the windows - I don't want attack birds coming at me again - people are going to think I was in a cat fight tonight!).

 

[cafarmgirl]

Mine did the exact same thing and it went on for a week or so and even with them being out there all day. If I went in with them they'd be all over me. They will eventually settle down and figure it out!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Even so, many groups of chicks will still fuss & call & chirp pathetically at nightfall. I think it's a teenage chick risk-taking game called Bait Bucket. Mine like to push it to the extreme by squashing themselves in a big pig pile by the most vulnerable corner of the pen, pressing their thinly feathered necks against the wire and sending out loud chirps of distress for about an hour. I usually have to break it up each night for about a week or so, carrying them back to a safer place in the coop.

Makes you wonder how they, as a species, survived this long...

 

[amyc]

I just went out to check on them - and they're piled up, but not too bad. They were quieter - so I didn't want to go in and get them all riled up again.

Still amazes me that the litttle ones, who hadn't seen the coop at all today, are completely mellow. Most are sleeping - and a few are catching bugs around the lamp.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

I know my chicks will be happier in the coop once they get used to it, I think their mommy is the one who's gonna be freakin out!!! My babies all alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure your babies will be fine too!