Freaked out! Coop too big?

[cricket1975]

I just put our chickens in the garage...in a 4x4 coop, nice and warm with the heat lamp since they were getting too big for inside, but it's still too cold for outside yet. I put their food and water on one side of the coop and I've yet to see them eat or drink. Is this normal? They just stay in the center of the coop. I just put some extra food and water about halfway inside and I saw them drink. Will they eventually find their food and water...I mean it's only 2 feet away??

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I'm surprised you need a heat lamp in your garage. Check the temp inside your coop, you may have it too hot. As they age they need less and less heat. Like 95F week1, 90F week 2, 80F week 3... If your running hot use a smaller watt incandesent bulb.

 

[patman75]

You just changed everything they have ever known. In time they will be fine.

and

 

[dretd]

Is it an open coop like a wire pen, or is it more of a physical structure like a house? They are probably a bit scared and confused. When I switched to a large open dog crate from the tub brooder, my two were equally upset. I draped a blanket and sheet over a portion of their new home so that they felt more secure. Maybe you could try partially covering some of the top and sides to see how they do.

Is there something scary about where the food and water is? Move it to right next to them an then once they get used to their new home you can move it back to where you want it.

 

[cricket1975]

It's between 75 and 80 degrees, so I don't think too hot and it's more like a house, it's actually our chicken run that we will put outside, so it has a roof and wire around. I put cardboard all the way around it, so they'd feel more enclosed. I'm using the same feeders that I had in the tub, they're just on the side.

 

[dretd]

Quote:
Sounds like they are just really scared at the new surroundings. Probably just waiting to make sure no predators are lurking before they move around. I would put the water next to them and if you have handed them a lot, maybe sit out with them to act as a 'lookout' so they feel more secure.
Another idea is that I got one of those covered cat litter boxes to use as a mobile nest box. You could try getting one of those as a little home within a home they can go in and out of if you want. When I free range mine in the sun room they like going and hanging in a book shelf cubby--probably because it feels more secure there.

 

[naakte]

I played with my chickies every day, they lived on my bedside dresser/ kitchen counter for 4 weeks. When I put them in their coop they did the same thing, I just brought them in at night until the rabbit hutch was just way to small. They got used to their coop and seem to be very happy when i go out to care for them. I was always told that chickens were stupid. I do NOT think that is correct now that I have my own. When weater permits I go outside next to the coop and read a book.
note... I was around chickens as a child when i would go visit my grandfather (God rest his precious soul) at his ranch. I was preet young and wasnt allowed in the coop. I was shocked when i got my first chickens (1 day olds) at how much i enjoyed their chirps. I moved them that first day to my bedside dresser so I could hear them at night. I miss the baby chirps so much. I now have purchased serama eggs and on about May 7th hope to have that chirping again. sorry this is so long Donna in branson

 

[mcjessen]

We put our girls out in the coop (3x4) in the garage this weekend too. They were scared at first, rushing me as I opened the door to check on them. They were back to normal the next morning. Yours probably just need some time to adjust. They'll be fine.

 

[wolftracks]

There is no such thing as a coop that's too big!

just sayin

 

[cackydoodledoo]

Quote:

The bigger the coop the more chickens it will hold!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!