First Night in the Coop

[dobbisha]

Tonight is our first night in the coop and there are a lot of tears. Our girls are crying in the coop and won't go in the hen house, they're curled up in a corner of the run under the hen house but it's a warm night. They're not cold. I picked them up and tried to put them in and they clung to me and cried. I had to rock them and pet them to calm them. Am I putting them out there too soon? Or is this something that we're just going to have to go through sooner or later? They're a month old
My daughter's crying, I'm crying. They've been spending the days out there and they love it. I didn't think they'd react like this.

Shannon

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

This is entirely normal and not anything to let yourself become upset over. The coop (the actual structure they are meant to roost in, what you are calling the hen house) generally gets dark inside before it gets entirely dark outside. As a result, the chicks play around outside until the last minute and then are afraid to go into the coop because, at that point, it has become a scary, dark cave. Chicks raised by a hen would be lead into the coop as dusk fell and would learn that fading light means hurry inside and get settled before it is dark. In the absence of a hen, you must take this job -- as dusk starts to fall you move the chicks into the coop. I prefer to either "herd" them in or call them in from the interior so that they are moving under their own power vs. picking htem up and putting them into the coop. Once the chicks are inside you close the coop so they are forced to settle in and stay. After 2-3 reptitions they get the idea.

 

[dobbisha]

Thank you! They had gone into the coop at dusk but the coop we bought does not have a door! The run and coop are enclosed with latched doors leading into the attached run but the coop itself does not. When I checked on them after dark, they had all come out into the run. I'll have to build a door tomorrow. We have a large street light in our yard so I cracked open their windows to let some light in. Hopefully they'll make their way in. I'm uneasy with them in the run overnight.

 

[chiplantz747]

They go into the coop around 2 months, otherwise they might be to afraid

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

They go into the coop around 2 months, otherwise they might be to afraid

Chicks can be moved to the coop at any point, even started there from day one. The fear and confusion can happen at any point an unfamiliar surrounding is introduced

 

[thessalonchick]

What is the best thing to put in the coop for bedding or insulation ?
Any advice for this first time chicken owner would sure be appreciated!
Thanks

 

[Stephine]

What is the best thing to put in the coop for bedding or insulation ?
Any advice for this first time chicken owner would sure be appreciated!
Thanks

Pine shavings. Check in the learning center for more info or buy a book on keeping chickens - I think there's a Dummies series one. The one I have is called A chicken in every yard or something similar and it's great for a beginner.

 

[dobbisha]

What is the best thing to put in the coop for bedding or insulation ?
Any advice for this first time chicken owner would sure be appreciated!
Thanks

I use about three inches of a soft, short cut straw in the nesting boxes and then pine shavings on the pull out poop tray under the roosts. In the run I'll be using the deep litter method. I bought Backyard Chickens for Dummies and I have found it very useful. It's always open on my desk. I also use the search box here at BYC and read througb articles and forum threads. I like to read about personal experiences and ideas. You can't always get that in a book.

Our night two was so much better. We lead them in at dusk and fashioned a temporary door. They protested only briefly and then all was quiet. A much calmer night for all. Thank you @Ol Grey Mare for your input and reassurance.