First Night in Coop! Sad Chicks!

[ChickaMama49]

We finally finished extending the new run and predator proofing today. Got the new coop ready- water, food and chick grit in. DE and pine shavings all over floor and nest boxes, baby roost in! We waited til chicks were 4 1/2 weeks old (hatched out on 5/30), they are outgoing brooder and have been in the garden a bunch of times. We put them towards evening in and at first they seemed very happy- but an hour later all of them were huddled up looking out the “window “ (hardware cloth) bunched together at the door. We opened it they all tried to get out, all wanted to be held and one ( the most dominant usually) was so scared she was shaking so we held them and put them back after awhile. They’re chirping loudly. I know we have no choice because they really outgrew the brooder. How long will they take to get used to the coop? Tomorrow they will be let outside in the run. I’m not sure if they will know enough to go inside the coop if it rains? I anticipate having to put them in at night for awhile, how long until they figure this out?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That first night is always rough. Generally by day 3 they start to adjust better. At a week they should be comfortable.

 

[MickWithChicks]

They'll be fine. They look nice and feathered, so won't get cold at night. I'm assuming it's pretty warm in summer in Central Florida as well, so that's of no concern.

They're unlikely to be sad...it's just a bit of a change. It's more likely that their humans are sad to see them outside!

Chickens huddle up together, so that's completely normal behaviour. Not sure about the shivering.

They figure out the coop pretty quickly. If you have to put them in at night for a week that's OK. They'll end up seeing it as their safe place. If you do put them in there manually, put them straight up on the roosts so they don't get into the habit of sleeping on the ground in there.

 

[tjo804]

Big step for little chicks
As with my chicks I am thinking yours will adjust before you do .

Good luck and try to sleep inside to night

The human house I mean

 

[ChickaMama49]

Big step for little chicks
As with my chicks I am thinking yours will adjust before you do .

Good luck and try to sleep inside to night

The human house I mean

It’s so sad! I was happy after all that work! But then seeing them peeking out the window and then I got that feeling like dropping the kids off at kindergarten! We have been out there a few times already! Camping seems like a good idea about now lol!

 

[ChickaMama49]

They'll be fine. They look nice and feathered, so won't get cold at night. I'm assuming it's pretty warm in summer in Central Florida as well, so that's of no concern.

They're unlikely to be sad...it's just a bit of a change. It's more likely that their humans are sad to see them outside!

Chickens huddle up together, so that's completely normal behaviour. Not sure about the shivering.

They figure out the coop pretty quickly. If you have to put them in at night for a week that's OK. They'll end up seeing it as their safe place. If you do put them in there manually, put them straight up on the roosts so they don't get into the habit of sleeping on the ground in there.

They stayed on the roost for only a minute then jumped off. They had roosts in the brooder they loved but these are wider. I’m thinking it’s just so new maybe in a day or two they will get on them. Right now they’re all piled up together on the pine shavings.

 

[tjo804]

@ChickaMama49 You sound like me DH wakes several times when the newbies go out to see if my pillow is still there

 

[mrs_organized_chaos]

I am in the same boat. Mine are in their coop for the first time tonight as well. They seem okay, but I am super nervous. A couple are sleeping on their roost but the rest of them are on the floor. They really needed out of the brooder though. They are six weeks and needed the space. Hopefully you are able to get some sleep tonight!

 

[bobbi-j]

They'll be fine. Chickens don't like change, but get over it eventually.

 

[ChickaMama49]

I am in the same boat. Mine are in their coop for the first time tonight as well. They seem okay, but I am super nervous. A couple are sleeping on their roost but the rest of them are on the floor. They really needed out of the brooder though. They are six weeks and needed the space. Hopefully you are able to get some sleep tonight!

I’m hoping so! I hope you can too! It’s like having babies again!