Pullets Crying at Sunset

[EstelleAdler]

My chickens are almost 11 weeks old. They have adjusted well to the coop and knew from the first night where to go at dusk. They even started roosting that first night. One thing that keeps bothering me, however, is the way they cry as the sun sets. They get a little frantic, going into the coop and coming back out. They start to cry that "something is wrong and I need your help" cry. And they stay in this state for something like 20 minutes while they figure out where they're going to sleep in the rafters for the night.

When they were still in the house, I had 17 of them. At 6 weeks, I took ten of them to my in-laws for their coop, as we had arranged. That's when this crying behavior started. Before they were separated, as the sun started to set, the chicks made these really cool cricket like chirps as they all settled down for the night. Have I traumatized them? Because it was after they were separated that they started crying at sunset. I feel so sad for them.

 

[3KillerBs]

My chickens are almost 11 weeks old. They have adjusted well to the coop and knew from the first night where to go at dusk. They even started roosting that first night. One thing that keeps bothering me, however, is the way they cry as the sun sets. They get a little frantic, going into the coop and coming back out. They start to cry that "something is wrong and I need your help" cry. And they stay in this state for something like 20 minutes while they figure out where they're going to sleep in the rafters for the night.

When they were still in the house, I had 17 of them. At 6 weeks, I took ten of them to my in-laws for their coop, as we had arranged. That's when this crying behavior started. Before they were separated, as the sun started to set, the chicks made these really cool cricket like chirps as they all settled down for the night. Have I traumatized them? Because it was after they were separated that they started crying at sunset. I feel so sad for them.

They'll get adjusted in due time.

One time I had a pair of Brahmas at about that age that stayed out just a little too late, got caught in the dark, and cried pitifully when they realized that they didn't know how to get into their coop to roost. They didn't normally like to be handled, but they were glad that I rescued them from the big darkness and put them into the coop.

I wonder if maybe they can't see well enough in the coop to get settled? Maybe a dim light set to come on just before sunset and go off a bit after sunset would help them sort themselves out?

 

[EstelleAdler]

They'll get adjusted in due time.

One time I had a pair of Brahmas at about that age that stayed out just a little too late, got caught in the dark, and cried pitifully when they realized that they didn't know how to get into their coop to roost. They didn't normally like to be handled, but they were glad that I rescued them from the big darkness and put them into the coop.

I wonder if maybe they can't see well enough in the coop to get settled? Maybe a dim light set to come on just before sunset and go off a bit after sunset would help them sort themselves out?

That is a good idea, I hadn't thought of that. They do struggle to find their place in the "rafters" and I bet that's why they go in and come back out until fear of The Dark reminds them the coop is at least a safer, albeit dark, place.

 

[3KillerBs]

That is a good idea, I hadn't thought of that. They do struggle to find their place in the "rafters" and I bet that's why they go in and come back out until fear of The Dark reminds them the coop is at least a safer, albeit dark, place.

I haven't needed to use a light myself, but people who have used them recommend a fairly dim light like one of those closet pucks and only for a short while after sunset -- either on a timer or manually turned off when you close the coop.

 

[aart]

They do struggle to find their place in the "rafters"

How high are the rafters?
Roosts only need to be higher than the nests.