Pullets terrified in coop, almost hurting themselves.

[chickmamat]

My 9week old chicks have been in their run and coop for a few weeks now. We just finished their roosts and nesting boxes today. When we put them away tonight they all went crazy. Bat shit crazy. Flying into things, trying to land on a roosts and edges and missing and falling. And now they are all piling on top of each other trying to fit in the same corner roost. There’s 8 out of the 11 in the same 1.5’ area of space.

I’m afraid they’ll hurt themselves. Do they just figure it out? Is this normal?

I’ve had a red lamp on the inside so they can see. Nothing about their routine has changed. Just added and extra roost and they’re going crazy.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

My 9week old chicks have been in their run and coop for a few weeks now. We just finished their roosts and nesting boxes today. When we put them away tonight they all went crazy. Nat shot crazy. Flying into things, trying to land on a roosts and edges and missing and falling. And now they are all piling on top of each other trying to fit in the same corner roost. There’s 8 out of the 11 in the same 1.5’ area of space.

I’m afraid they’ll hurt themselves. Do they just figure it out? Is this normal?

I’ve had a red lamp on the inside so they can see. Nothing about their routine has changed. Just added and extra roost and they’re going crazy.

they are just getting used to it. hopefully they will Learn!

 

[Kes]

I'm sure they'll be fine!
I changed the litter in the run from straw to sand last weekend and mine spent the entire afternoon acting like the ground was made of lava and flying into things too. By the next day, they acted like nothing had happened.

I'd consider taking the light away and letting them get some good rest.

 

[Theladiesandagentleman]

Let them get into the coop while it is still light outside so they can see. And the red heat lamp should go so it will be more natural for them to sleep in the dark. Besides it is a fire hazard. Good luck!

 

[aart]

I changed the litter in the run from straw to sand last weekend and mine spent the entire afternoon acting like the ground was made of lava and flying into things too. By the next day, they acted like nothing had happened.

Have had that happen too when changing out bedding.
Chicken don't like change.....why we call people 'chicken' when they are afraid of something.

 

[Broody_Mama]

My 9week old chicks have been in their run and coop for a few weeks now. We just finished their roosts and nesting boxes today. When we put them away tonight they all went crazy. Bat shit crazy. Flying into things, trying to land on a roosts and edges and missing and falling. And now they are all piling on top of each other trying to fit in the same corner roost. There’s 8 out of the 11 in the same 1.5’ area of space.

I’m afraid they’ll hurt themselves. Do they just figure it out? Is this normal?

I’ve had a red lamp on the inside so they can see. Nothing about their routine has changed. Just added and extra roost and they’re going crazy.

Ha, mine did that too for about a week.... piling on top of each other and smashing themselves into one corner to sleep (fighting over who got closest to the corner). It was a little unnerving and I was scared they were going to smother each other. Then they started getting the hang of roosting at night on bars, now they have the same fight but over one little spot that apparently they all MUST roost on at bedtime

It's funny to watch. Mine are about 10 weeks or so old now.

Here's a video of them a couple weeks ago at war over their spot. For kicks, I put a couple things in the corner (that cardboard box, a rock, etc) to see if it was actually about that one spot or just because they all wanted to be where the others were. Apparently it was the latter

 

[lazy gardener]

First, a red light does not help a chicken to see. You could give them a little night light. If lighting is the issue. Does your coop have any windows? There should be lots of natural lighting so the birds can go to bed at dusk.

Second, I do hope that red light is not a heat light. Chicks should be weaned off heat by 4 - 5 weeks of age.

Third, look the coop over very carefully to be sure there is not the possibility of a predator, no matter how small. Even a mouse, or rat could be predatory on chicks. Snakes and weasels can get through amazingly small openings. Some predators come in a coop and hang out in the coop till the birds are shut up in the coop with the predator for the night! Is your coop totally predator proof? Does it have 1/2" hdw cloth over all openings? Does it have adequate ventilation: at least 1 s.f./bird or an area equal to 10% of the floor space, which ever is greater???

 

[chickmamat]

First, a red light does not help a chicken to see. You could give them a little night light. If lighting is the issue. Does your coop have any windows? There should be lots of natural lighting so the birds can go to bed at dusk.

Second, I do hope that red light is not a heat light. Chicks should be weaned off heat by 4 - 5 weeks of age.

Third, look the coop over very carefully to be sure there is not the possibility of a predator, no matter how small. Even a mouse, or rat could be predatory on chicks. Snakes and weasels can get through amazingly small openings. Some predators come in a coop and hang out in the coop till the birds are shut up in the coop with the predator for the night! Is your coop totally predator proof? Does it have 1/2" hdw cloth over all openings? Does it have adequate ventilation: at least 1 s.f./bird or an area equal to 10% of the floor space, which ever is greater???

We had a week where the temperatures were very low and I put a small red lamp in one corner in case they were cold they could go there. They are off it now. I put it back for the one night they were freaking out hoping it would help. I didn’t realize it doesn’t help them see at all, thanks for letting me know!

Yes there are three windows for light and ventilation. Covered with 1/2” hardware clothe. It’s definitely predator proof and even larger than 1sf/bird. Also 12+ inches roosting space per bird.

They seem to have settled in now for the most part. It took me a minutes to figure out how to get them in there when they could still see and settle in (they wouldn’t go inthemselves at first). We’ve got a good routine going now.

Thank you for all the help and input!