First night in the coop!

[Naz223]

I'm just having this experience. My girls are used to being in at night. They were out during the day before we predator proofed the coup and run. Tonight is their first night out, they too cried and cried, then made a pathetic chicken pile in the corner of the run. I hung an led light inside the coup to make it more inviting, I had to put them in there, and they stayed. But now what, I don't really want to keep a light out there. How do I transition them?

 

[mothersdream]

The first time mine were out, they wouldn't go in the coop, just hung out in the run, so the next day I put them in the coop with the run door closed for about 30 minutes. They decided the coop was pretty cool so after I opened the door they still hung out up in the coop for a bit, but started traveling in and out, using the ramp and flying up to the coop doorway sometimes. They've been outside over night for almost a week now. Rhe temps dropped a bit so silly me, I tossed a blanket over the coop for tonight.

 

[JesCelina]

How old are they? We just got ours and they are 2 weeks...have them in our bathroom under a heat lamp.

 

[UrbanChicks435]

Second night they've got it all figured out!

Way to go my girls!!!

Yay! Way to go! For my chicks I would let them in the coop during the day, but then bring them back to familiar territory for the night. Get them used to the big change!

 

[Naz223]

Mine are 2 months now and spending their 3rd night out. I was dubious at first, but after the first night, when I had to put a light in there and help them, they put themselves to bed! And sure enough, tonight, just before dark, they all came back from free ranging the yard went into the coop! I don't even need the light in the anymore. Now my challenge is getting them to roost instead of piling in one of the nesting boxes. I think once I hang the roosts higher, they will stop. I hope.

 

[prostar]

Try blocking off the nesting boxes.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Mine are 2 months now and spending their 3rd night out. I was dubious at first, but after the first night, when I had to put a light in there and help them, they put themselves to bed! And sure enough, tonight, just before dark, they all came back from free ranging the yard went into the coop! I don't even need the light in the anymore. Now my challenge is getting them to roost instead of piling in one of the nesting boxes. I think once I hang the roosts higher, they will stop. I hope.

Since they are only 2 months old, as long as you do not also have older birds in the same coop who are laying, they do not need to have access to the nests at all (day or night). Simply block off access until they are closer to the point of lay - by which time they'll be accustomed to roosting.

 

[jwmorgan]

The farmer we bought our pullets from told us to put a little light inside the coop at night so they will go in there at night and not be scared. We bought a couple battery operated lights yesterday and will put it in the coop once it's finished