First overnight in the coop: a fail

[AnimalGeek23]

Our chicks are shy of 7 weeks by now, and the weather was warm today, so we decided to keep them overnight.
We were prepared... or so we thought.
We had prepared everything inside: bedding, water, a dim heat lamp for just in case, roosts, and ventilation. We also made sure to secure the hardware wire and latches. By 8:00 pm, we slowly herded them inside(it took some time). When the pullets all went inside, they started screeching. And I mean, really screeching. It was loud enough to lure out a few neighbors from their houses, actually. We decided to wait for half an hour and came back to see them still screeching as loud as ever. This can't go on the whole night, but it was really loud. They seemed really scared! We brought them back inside and placed them in their old brooder(which they are outgrowing) and they immediately became quiet and calm.

Hmm... maybe tomorrow

P.S, if anyone has any tips dealing with spoiled pullets... I'll gladly take some advice!

(Also, they love their coop in the daytime! They'd go inside it to hide from the sun, etc. It's just they start freaking out at night...)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I used to leave them out there longer each night before rescuing them. They eventually settled. Sometimes you gotta do tough love too, and just let them scream it out. It gets easier each night.

 

[HenneryTheEighth]

LOL! I am sorry. I just got this image in my head of chickens screaming at the top of their lungs like spoiled toddlers.
I gradually worked my chicks into the coop by first putting them into a chicken tractor with a dog kennel in it. They went into the dog kennel at night. During the day, they ran around the chicken tractor. I did this for about ten days.
I moved them into the chicken yard after that. I let them run around for the day, investigate the coop, and then I moved them back into the tractor for two nights.
The slow introduction worked for the first batch. I have a second batch of chicks coming up; I'll let you know how that goes since I'll be introducing older birds to the new ones.

 

[Doc7]

First of all, I am impressed you made it to 1,100 posts on this website before getting your first chickens!

I might recommend raising the chicks in the coop from Day One in your next go around. Definitely don’t have to deal with any of this stuff!

 

[TwoShepherds]

If they’re scared of the coop because of the dark, perhaps you could temporarily put a light out there for them.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Wow, my chickens didn't have a problem moving into their coop. They went inside when it got dark and went to sleep. I didn't even know this was an issue! I'm interested to know how to solve this problem though.

 

[Donkeygrl]

I had the same problem :-( and my babies were piling which isn’t good ...we put a nightlight in and talked to them and they eventually calmed down but man-sucked hearing them freaking out for sure ...hoping tonight goes better!

 

[pozees2]

If their brooder fits inside the coop try that as a step. If not, put a "huddle box" in the coop for them, if they start using it during the day they may realize it's a safe place at night. If there's a good place for it, try putting one of those stick-on lights in the coop, low wattage, for a few nights. Make sure you are turning off their light inside the house at night so they are used to the dark. They will get through this.

 

[RiverOtter]

My suggestion is the same as @TwoShepherds , to them, their whole life, light has meant both warmth and safety. Putting a light out there temporarily, even on of those little solar garden lights, will likely help them make a smoother transition. Both your chickens and your neighbors will thank you.

 

[AnimalGeek23]

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I’ll try again tonight and put a brighter light with the brooder.