Nighttime coop problems

[cgoodloe]

I just put my babies outside in the coop on the back patio. Eventually I will move the coop to the yard. But for now I want them to get used to the coop and the outdoors. This is their first night outside. They won't stay in the little house part. They climbed out before dark and I can't get them back up in there. Will they ever actually sleep in there? If I turn off the lights now on them will they be ok til morning? They are 7 weeks old. Also, is it a problem if they don't eat at night now? No food up in the house part. I don't want to have to keep lights on at night all the time now. I have a small heater out there and boxes going around the coop to stop wind for a few days until they get used to being outside. Any tips on how to get them to sleep in the house when it starts getting dark?

Thanks!
Carla
Clovis, CA

3 Easter Eggers, 3 Red Stars

 

[craftymama86]

When we first got our chickens we had to put each one in the coop. It didn't take long to figure out to close off the bottom of the coop, lol. Does your coop not have a door?? If so just start putting them in before it gets too dark and shut the door. They'll eventually get used to going in at night and will start going in on their own. This is all, of course, my personal opinion and from my experience. I am by no means a professional, lol.

Here's an older pic of our coop....

 

[velittlechik]

I am going through the same thing with my 6 week old chicks. I just put them out in a fenced off area of the animal yard with a coop yesterday. All day long they go in and out the coop but about 6:30 only 2 of the 15 go in to roost, the rest bunch up together on the ground in little groups. I went ahead and caught them and put them in and some roosted but others bunched up on the floor. This is the first night I am not using a light, but I also blocked off some of the openings, so far they are quiet out there.

 

[craftymama86]

I don't remember what age ours actually started roosting on the roost bar but they did bunch up together for quite a while. I think it's normal. Maybe they don't know they can reach the roost yet, even though the others can..

 

[carolinasculpture]

When I went to put mine outside I started them in the coop the first time just at dark. I put them on the roost with the pop door closed so they could only explore the inside of the coop. I went back in a little later, when it was actually dark and they were all up on the roost asleep! The next morning I had them stay in the coop until around 8ish and then let them out into the yard. By the second night all but one of them went into the coop on their own, I did have to rescue one that stayed out in the yard too long. From then on they have all found their own way in at night, we leave the pop door open all the time, though. (fence, electric fence, covered) Good luck! I am sure they will get the hang of it!

 

[velittlechik]

Good idea! That was what I should have done, put them in after dark in the coop the first night. I got too anxious to move them to their permanent home I put them in as the last screw and latch was put on! They did just fine with no light, I figured they would but the first night they just wouldn't shut up till I turned it on. My goats are right next door to them and kept standing at the fence staring at the coop. I left them in until 8 this morning, so I'm sure they'll figure it out in a day or two. My other chickens were either already grown and knew what to do and the chicks I had I let the mother hatch them and she taught them. So I wasn't sure what to expect with these from the hatchery. For being the same breed (Red Star Sex Link) there sure is a variety of coloring and markings on them.

 

[cgoodloe]

Well the coop part does have a door but this run is attached to the coop and it's super hard to get into the coop to catch the girls. They are scared by sudden movements still. They eat out of my hand but run when I try to pick them up.

But I guess I will have to figure out how to get them up there tonight. If they won't starve by being cooped in there all night with no food and water, I guess I won't worry about them once I get them cooped at night.