First night in coop

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

I'm sure this is a common post but sheesh is the first night ever hard. I might bring them in. We got them in the coop and they were body slamming the windows - they found the roost just fine to do so. 7 weeks old now and it's a bit colder in their coop than inside (72 vs 64 deg). Still, I broke down crying listening to their little yells and seeing them try to climb up the hardware cloth on the windows. When does it get easier? I just imagine them all stressed out!

 

[featheredplanets]

Just leave them and stop stressing. They’re not cold or lonely. They’re like babies, sometimes they cry for no reason and it’s best to let them do so. If it were me I’d cover their windows at night so there’s no light and it’ll encourage them to sleep. Sounds harsh but some chicks get too dependent.

 

[JDChickChat]

I'm sure this is a common post but sheesh is the first night ever hard. I might bring them in. We got them in the coop and they were body slamming the windows - they found the roost just fine to do so. 7 weeks old now and it's a bit colder in their coop than inside (72 vs 64 deg). Still, I broke down crying listening to their little yells and seeing them try to climb up the hardware cloth on the windows. When does it get easier? I just imagine them all stressed out!

It's very hard, I know. I struggled with leaving them in their coop the first night. I promise you that they will come to enjoy it!! Just give it time. Try to give them some snacks in the coop so they see it as a pleasant place!! Good luck to you!!

 

[GambaDawn]

Oh my gosh, I’m so worried now that I’ve read your post! Lol. My first 6 chicks are now six weeks and we almost have the new coop and run ready. I have been soooo excited about getting them into a nice big place outside. Have stressed about ground material, dust bath area, toys, Heights of roosts, feeders, waterers they can’t poop in and predator safety, never did I even think that they would CRY when put in there! We plan on putting them out during day a couple times before permanently to gradually get them used to new digs, did you do that? I’m so worried now, I don’t know what I’ll do besides definitely not sleep, if they cry (what does that sound like?) at all, much less all night! Yikes. Have they calmed down yet?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Don't worry. Everything will be fine.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Theyll be ok. Chickens hate change. We added on to our coop and I moved the roosts when my girls were 13 weeks and they absolutely lost it. Eventually they calmed down and accepted it.

 

[JDChickChat]

Oh my gosh, I’m so worried now that I’ve read your post! Lol. My first 6 chicks are now six weeks and we almost have the new coop and run ready. I have been soooo excited about getting them into a nice big place outside. Have stressed about ground material, dust bath area, toys, Heights of roosts, feeders, waterers they can’t poop in and predator safety, never did I even think that they would CRY when put in there! We plan on putting them out during day a couple times before permanently to gradually get them used to new digs, did you do that? I’m so worried now, I don’t know what I’ll do besides definitely not sleep, if they cry (what does that sound like?) at all, much less all night! Yikes. Have they calmed down yet?

That's exactly what we did. We kept our 4 week old chicks out in their coop during the day only for 2 days then kept them in their for good.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Oh my gosh, I’m so worried now that I’ve read your post! Lol. My first 6 chicks are now six weeks and we almost have the new coop and run ready. I have been soooo excited about getting them into a nice big place outside. Have stressed about ground material, dust bath area, toys, Heights of roosts, feeders, waterers they can’t poop in and predator safety, never did I even think that they would CRY when put in there! We plan on putting them out during day a couple times before permanently to gradually get them used to new digs, did you do that? I’m so worried now, I don’t know what I’ll do besides definitely not sleep, if they cry (what does that sound like?) at all, much less all night! Yikes. Have they calmed down yet?

If you can get them acclimated here and there, definitely do it! We had them outside pretty much non stop after 5 weeks when it was warm enough, gradually increasing the time each day until they were out morning to dusk.

Sooooooo last night I cried non stop for about an hour, then finally brought them inside. I am such a sucker for pet drama, but I know they will get used to it. I was just nervous because we painted a few days ago so we've been airing it, both wanted to give it another day and also not make them be in a coop that was so cold. After I brought them back in I got a thermometer set up and they've been in the run all day today. Also bought a solar night light (extra). PLANNING to leave them in tonight but we'll see. When I did take them in, they were fine - they'd stopped crying completely and were just huddled in the corner. I was the dramatic one overall!

 

[Mamatomany123]

If you can get them acclimated here and there, definitely do it! We had them outside pretty much non stop after 5 weeks when it was warm enough, gradually increasing the time each day until they were out morning to dusk.

Sooooooo last night I cried non stop for about an hour, then finally brought them inside. I am such a sucker for pet drama, but I know they will get used to it. I was just nervous because we painted a few days ago so we've been airing it, both wanted to give it another day and also not make them be in a coop that was so cold. After I brought them back in I got a thermometer set up and they've been in the run all day today. Also bought a solar night light (extra). PLANNING to leave them in tonight but we'll see. When I did take them in, they were fine - they'd stopped crying completely and were just huddled in the corner. I was the dramatic one overall!

Be careful, they will learn if they cry then theyll get what they want. I have a friend who would let her chickens free range. One chicken would scream while she was walking to the run to let them out. Eventually, she couldnt free range them anymore. Her hen screamed louder than a rooster would crow all day for weeks. Chickens can get stubborn once they figure out they can get what they want by crying.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Be careful, they will learn if they cry then theyll get what they want. I have a friend who would let her chickens free range. One chicken would scream while she was walking to the run to let them out. Eventually, she couldnt free range them anymore. Her hen screamed louder than a rooster would crow all day for weeks. Chickens can get stubborn once they figure out they can get what they want by crying.

Oh absolutely. My German Shepherd found out he could play me like a fiddle so definitely won’t get in the habit. It was just the first night I found particularly hard but ready for another shot today!