My chicks went out to the coop today!

[eponagirl]

Today was the day...couldn't take the dust anymore after 5 1/2 weeks in the house and I've been working non stop to get the finishing touches done on the inside of our new coop...so ...finally!

All went well until it started getting dark....they were cheeping and running to huddle in the corners. It stressed me out alot because they usually go to sleep early and roost.

They are in the coop, but in the same dog crate brooder they've always been in (I also have older chickens in the coop-first time for them too, but they settled quickly, so the little chicks can't be out with them yet)...plus I just added another crate just on for more space (the coop itself is 10x12). It was upsetting, but finally I had enough and started putting them on their normal roost until they started staying up there. Thankfully I had one or two cooperative ones, but they still must be figuring out the pecking order, because two couldn't get settled...on and off the roost. I ended up turning out the light right when they were all on the roost at the same time and then silence...some even cooed!

They've been fine so far, thank god, because I didn't know if I would get any sleep tonite myself!

My observation has been that as it gets dark they panic a little knowing they have to find a roosting spot. They were happy and fine all afternoon. I made them a roost in the brooder a few weeks ago. We also use a ceramic heat emitter instead of the red heat bulb...we have a red one too, but didn't need it after the first few days. They have already gotten used to the day/night cycle, so that is a big help. About a week ago they started sleeping on their brooder roosts. I figure with all the change of a move, they got disoriented and panicked about where they should sleep. After a stressful and bumpy evening...all the chicks and older chicks are quiet and hopefully having sweet chick dreams!

ps...I did put the heat lamp out there too, but tonite is a warmer than usual nite, so it was an easier transition.

 

[firedove]

It is exciting and nerve wracking when you first put them out! My oldest chickens took to the coop OK the first night out. I had put them out with their brooder but found several of them on the high coop roost by morning. They were 12 weeks old when they went out there though, not little babies. Then I introduced my second batch of chicks into the coop about a month ago. They were 11 weeks old. I was up all night waiting for the sun to start rising so I could be there to let the big girls out right as they came off the roost so they wouldn't beat up the newcomers. It all worked out fine though because my little ones learned to hide under the nesting boxes when the big girls got too rowdy. They are all starting to integrate together now inside the coop but when they are free ranging they stay as two separate flocks.

 

[cmom]

When my chicks were 3 weeks old I put them in their coop with the brooder. I left the door on the brooder open so they could go in and out at will. also I had a small run outside the coop for them.

Here is a picture of one of the coops with a brooder in it.

Here is a picture of the other coop and brooder.