first night outside in the coop... help, they won't stop chirping!

[monkeytreecreations]

It's my chicks first night outside in the coop and I'm a nervous wreck! They won't stop chirping their "hey!!! Danger!!!" chirps. Usually I go out move them into the brooder box about now, and they go to sleep, so I think they are trying to get my attention. I put their first brooder box in the coop along with some scratch, which I've been giving them at night for about a week now. Any pointers to help them out tonight?

 

[Gonzo]

How old are they? When I finally moved my babies to the coop, I moved the brooder container in there first. I let them sleep in that for the first week or so, letting them out in the morning to eat drink, & explore the new surroundings. Then we let them run around the yard all day, & we'd play chicken wranglers around 6 pm. I think yours are probally just freaking out from the new surroundings. I also let ours have a night light (it was cooler then outside) for the 1st week. Hope this helps!

 

[Beekissed]

I've found chicks are more quiet when they are in the dark. Just like older chickens. They can't see well in the dark and so they just huddle down with each other and sleep, as they have no need to give alarm cheeps. They can't see anything to alarm about!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree. They are just a little freaked out by the new surroundings and the dark. They'll get used to it.
IMO, all living creatures need periods of light and dark to set their internal clocks by. You can add a light if you absolutely must, but sooner or later they'll have to get used to it being dark at night.

 

[JHaller]

I had two chicks that did the same thing. I ended up taking them into the living room and tucking them under my chin while we watched TV. They liked that. They settled down, eyes fixed on the screen, and after about 20 minutes I put them back in their cage. They were fine. It took about three nights of TV before they simmered down and settled into the routine without screaming.

I wonder if they just felt lonely and abandoned?

 

[stuckinthecity]

did they poo on you during tv time? LOL

 

[monkeytreecreations]

thanks for all of the replies. I appreciate it! They are 6 weeks old and they just got louder as it got darker. I finally relented and brought them in. They are city chickens and we son't want our neighbours angry with us!