First night in coop

[Lovelythymes]

My 3 girls are almost 7 weeks. They have spent the last 2 weeks in their run during the day and love it but come inside at night. Tonight is the first night they are spending in the coop. They seem terrified! They are flying around, falling off the roost. Jumping to the windows and climbing on the hardwire screens. Peeping very loudly. Trying to hide under each other. I feel awful. Should I bring them in? Will they calm down once its completely dark?

It's my first time with chickens. Not sure what to do. Any advice for a newbie!

 

[ShrekDawg]

They should calm down eventually. They are likely just scared being in a new place! Have they ever been in the coop before or just the run? Chickens also don’t see well in the dark so it might help if you can shine a flashlight or something in there for a few minutes so they can see and get on the roost, etc. and realize there’s nothing scary in there. But I wouldn’t bring them inside. They need to learn at some point.

 

[reddogmaster2]

My 3 girls are almost 7 weeks. They have spent the last 2 weeks in their run during the day and love it but come inside at night. Tonight is the first night they are spending in the coop. They seem terrified! They are flying around, falling off the roost. Jumping to the windows and climbing on the hardwire screens. Peeping very loudly. Trying to hide under each other. I feel awful. Should I bring them in? Will they calm down once its completely dark?

It's my first time with chickens. Not sure what to do. Any advice for a newbie!

Let me assure you, they will be OK! Chickens have been around for many many centuries. They will figure it out!

 

[Lovelythymes]

They have spent some time in the coop. The last few days ive picked them up and set them in the coop during the day. They seemed to not mind it then. There is a solar light on the end of the coop. It doesnt shine in completely but it's not very dark. I'll go back and check on them in a few. Standing and watching them freak out was not helping me lol.

 

[ShrekDawg]

They have spent some time in the coop. The last few days ive picked them up and set them in the coop during the day. They seemed to not mind it then. There is a solar light on the end of the coop. It doesnt shine in completely but it's not very dark. I'll go back and check on them in a few. Standing and watching them freak out was not helping me lol.

They will calm down eventually.

 

[Lovelythymes]

Girls made it through the night. (And so did I hehe) I opened the door to the run thinking they would burst out. They stayed on their roost and cleaned their feathers. I hope this means they dont mind it in there anymore?!

 

[Lovelythymes]

More good news! 2 of the 3 girls went in their coop by themselves tonight!

The coop is well ventilated (i think) but they seemed pretty hot in there. They were panting. The thermometer I put in there said it was 78 degrees. Anyone have luck with solar fans that will work during night? Maybe they dont make such a thing? I dont have electric there and dont really want to run an extension cord.. I read in a post setting frozen 2 liter bottles of water might help.

I attached pics of my coop I built. All the windows are open now. They were closed when I took photo.

 

[K0k0shka]

Ventilation looks good. Where are you? How hot do your summers get? 78 is not that bad.

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

78 isnt that bad. Here in California the summer nights are in the low-mid 60's/days in the 100's; winters aren't cold enough to get snow though.
I had a chicken years back (my profile pic) that was 100% free ranged, only slept outside in a bush all through summer and winter. During the day, just make sure they're hydrated.

Congratulations on your girls getting use to the coop!

 

[Flockincrazy]

My 3 girls are almost 7 weeks. They have spent the last 2 weeks in their run during the day and love it but come inside at night. Tonight is the first night they are spending in the coop. They seem terrified! They are flying around, falling off the roost. Jumping to the windows and climbing on the hardwire screens. Peeping very loudly. Trying to hide under each other. I feel awful. Should I bring them in? Will they calm down once its completely dark?

It's my first time with chickens. Not sure what to do. Any advice for a newbie!

They're fine they will calm down its just new and scary