Help! Screaming five week olds

[mrstodd]

Today I put my five week old baby orpingtons outside in the coop for the first time. It's nice and warm, and they have been enjoying about an hour in their run everyday for the last few weeks. Well, we moved them into the coop and when my husband and I came home we could hear their distressed peeps from the driveway. I ran down with the little crate I use to carry them around, loaded them up and brought them back into the house. Am I putting them out to early? Everyone tells me I've spoiled them with treats and petting ect. Please help

 

[sumi]

It's normal for chicks to be distressed when they have to spend their first night in the coop. They will get used to it, don't worry! As long as they are warm enough out there and the coop is secure they will be fine.

 

[mrstodd]

Thank you so much Sumi for sharing that with me! I have since brought them back into the house, so out they go again. I just wish try wouldn't peep so loud, I feel like they are calling all the carnivores in! Thank you again

 

[sweetie pie]

I have 4 chicks that I have spoiled and they are 7 weeks. I still haven't let them stay out at night. I keep saying tonight is the night I will leave them there all night but I always bring them inside. I sleep better knowing they are safe inside. I guess I will do it tomorrow night lol......good luck with yours

 

[scrambled freud]

It's like dropping my boys off at preschool the first day---worse for me than for them. It was that way with the chicks, too. We all survived, but it had to start with me being (darn it) and adult and willing to drop them off.

 

[slipshift]

We put our 3 week old Speckled Sussex chicks out in the chicken pen and they were a little apprehensive. It was the first time they saw the SKY! The pen is secure and they have a little shelter/coop so I don't worry about them. I have a lawn chair in the pen and I sit with them several times a day and they are running all over the place. The only concern is they are not eating their medicated chick feed. They would much rather eat bugs and scratch for seeds. Yours should be fine.

Jim

 

[mrstodd]

Thank you everyone for your support! I have good news, they made it thought the night LOL. Here are some pictures of this morning after everyone got picked up and given their good morning kiss

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[ChickTucson]

Sounds like you figured everything out, but I think that my older chicks did well at 5 weeks in their coop because I took them outside every day to play in the grass under my supervision for a few weeks before they moved outdoors. I don't know if that is helpful for next time.

 

[sumi]

I'm glad to hear it went well

The first night out is always difficult, for the chicks and for "mommy", because it's so hard not to run out there and pick them up when they start cheeping their heads off! Give them a few more days and they will be quite happy out there by themselves.

 

[mrstodd]

H

Sounds like you figured everything out, but I think that my older chicks did well at 5 weeks in their coop because I took them outside every day to play in the grass under my supervision for a few weeks before they moved outdoors.  I don't know if that is helpful for next time.

Yes, I did do that daily for quite some time as I mentioned above. They would have supervised playtime in their run. Helped believe it helped a lot you were definitely right!!