Hi, I'm a 1st time chicken owner. So far we love our girls. We have 7 bantams, 1 is 6 weeks old and the others are 5 weeks. Just started putting them in the coop outside. They haven't figured out to hang out inside the coop (we even put them in thur the upper level). They just stay in the run undernear the coop. They like to huddle together at night. I don't think it's too cold, it's usually in the low 70's here. Is this normal? Also can I use some baking soda in the run, so it doesn't smell too bad? Not sure if it can be harmful to them. I appreciate any advice. Thanks Kim
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help. Sometimes chicks just huddle together for the fun of it or because the run is new to them. Are they acting normal otherwise? Don't put baking soda in the run as this is high in salt and will be eaten by the chicks causing problems.Mint can help with odor. Glad you joined us!!
Welcome to BYC! Just put them in the coop and they should get used to it. It is fine if they huddle together, mine do that when it is 90 out! They are animals of habit so a lot of change is happening for them... Good luck!
Thanks so much for the advice. They seem to be acting the same. Hopefully they will get the hang of things. The mint is a great idea, i'm going to plant some in the run! It's nice to get advice from people with experience!
Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. If the coop is well enough ventilated, confine your chicks to the coop for a week. It will mean more work for you, as you will have to clean the coop frequently, and you might even need to put some time of fencing across the door of the coop to allow for better ventilation in the coop, but your chicks need to be imprinted to the coop so that they think of the coop as home. Please feel free to ask any more questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck in getting your chicks to sleep in the coop.
put some sand in your run, it will help dry things out so they don't smell as much. Or get some "stall dry" to spread on top for the same reason.
Hello there and welcome to BYC! It takes time for chicks to get used to being in new areas. So don't force them out of the coop and let them do as they need to until they start to venture out on their own. X2 on the baking soda. Too salty. Sand is a wonderful medium to use for coops and runs. It stays dry when wet, keep the flies away, no poop smells and the chickens love to scratch in it Here is a good thread on sand and how to use it....https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/444759/got-sand-you-should Enjoy your new flock and welcome to ours!