We don't have our coop finished yet (hopefully this week!!), so hubby and I are schlepping 2 dog crates of 4 week old chickens outside each morning and attaching them to covered dog exercise pens so they'll have plenty of room for playing, etc. We've been working outside this weekend finishing up the coop, and I've noticed that around dusk each evening the chicks all (or most) start peeping very loudly in their exercise pen. I go to talk to them to see if my voice will comfort them, but no dice. As the evening progresses, they eventually settle down and typically meander back and get in their crates. It's nice that they're in the crates because we can just shut the crate door and carry them back into the garage. After we get them into the garage (usually around 9 since it doesn't get dark til 8:30, and once it's dark they get in the crate and we don't have to chase them around the 4' tall ex pen) they all attack the food tray like they haven't seen it in days. I close up the garage for the night, tell them night night, and turn the lights off. Then they start peeping like crazy again. Anyone have any insight as to why they peep so much at these times? I guess I can understand why they peep when I turn out the lights. It's like they're saying, "But, mom, we're not ready to go to sleep yet!" But I don't really get the peeping at dusk. It's still plenty warm, and it's not totally dark outside. ??? Thanks, Rachel
Yes, because they aren't accustomed to the dark yet. Mine did the same thing when I put them out in the coop for the first time. It drove me nuts! They would do that also If they weren't situated on their roost and the lights went out. It doesn't happen very much at all anymore, except tonight they were outside longer than usual and it was dark enough for them to start the peeping. Put them inside and it was ok. It took em a few days to get accustomed to the lack of light.
We did too, finally placed them outside in their coop and run at nights...... They soon get use to being outside....
I have the same experience with mine. I think they just get anxious about the darkness. I wonder if it makes a difference whether there are adult chickens with them in the coop?
