Moving into the coop?

[PollosMama]

Our babies are 8 weeks old and fully feathered. We finished the coop today and are ready to have them in there full time. We let them out in the run the last couple days and brought them in at night. Tonight though, I wanted to have them stay in the coop. I took them in, sat them on the roost and shut the doors. They all started squawking and chirping, so I gave them a few min to try and figure it out themselves. Checked on them and they were in a pile in the corner of the floor.

Is this normal? Will they figure it out? After I set them up there, there was a lot of flapping and flying pdz. They've been on a roost in their brooder, so I figured they'd know. Do I just lock them in there for a few days with food and water?

 

[junebuggena]

It's very normal for chicks to not roost. I've had birds that didn't roost till they were 14 to 16 weeks old, and I've had them start roosting at just 5 weeks. It's all normal.

 

[junebuggena]

And if they have a secure run, you don't really need to keep them shut in the coop for a few days.

 

[Dani & Mikey]

Tonight is our first night in the coop and all 7 were in a pile on the floor too. They are 6 weeks. I hope as the get bigger they will learn to get up there. I’ll stay tuned to this post to see what the pros say.

 

[kklowell]

When I put mine in their "pen" in the garage they did the pile up in the corner thing too, but the next day they were walking around and exploring. Give them some time.

 

[Blooie]

They don’t like change, and moving is a huge change. Huddling for security is just as common in well established, older chickens too, if something unfamiliar is put into their surroundings or things are rearranged. So it’s very natural for chicks to do this.