Scared of Dark !

[MsDarkAngelKisses]

My two Indian Runners , Daisy and Rose where born June 24th and have been living in their brooder a lot with the light on 24/7 ! I just started keeping them outside in a big dog kennel , since my landlord came back with her huge dogs during the day 3 days ago and They hate it ! Before she came back temporarily they where use to free playtime with me , just running around the yards until I went to went to work then they went back inside huge art studio and into their brooder and light ! I tried two nights in a row to shut their light off and they get so upset turn over all food dishes and freak out ! Running around crying and panicking !

Room is not pitch black because there is diffuser with a light by their brooder and the baby, Americuana chicks heat light !
What do I do to adjust them to living with out a light at night ? I changed bulb to a softer light , lower watts and moved it much higher up away from them ...
Their outdoor duck house and metal run are not finished yet it be few more weeks before I can get it done for them to move outside ! I don't want them getting hurt and I'm thinking stress of my landlords dogs and lifestyle change is not helping !

 

[Miss Lydia]

When mine were ready to go outside I started with a night light. And they still have it in their house. It will take time but just make sure there isn’t anything in there they can hurt themselves on. If they are over 5 weeks old you can leave food and water out of their house over night. I also have a mirror in their house attached to the wall so they can see themselves they lay in front of it.

 

[MsDarkAngelKisses]

Oh how cute ! A mirror , great idea because they are extremely visual creatures ! Thanks for ideas and by time their outdoor home is done they will be way past their due date for living outside! Thank you❤

 

[Miss Lydia]

Of course we need some pics of you babies my Runner babies are almost 8 weeks that’s the 2 youngest they grow so fast.

 

[Beccazon]

First time I turned the lamp off in the brooder my chicks n ducklings were about the same age as yours. Geez my mudroom got REALLY LOUD!! Yup dishes got flipped. I removed the waterer and feeder next night. Crazy loud again. And yup I had my two baby bantams and 2 ducklings with a lamp on 6feet away. But after 3-4 nights, the freaking out became just a quietly chatty protest for a moment then quiet. Like a puppy, they just needed a little time. You are right though that change of area and light and dog might be too much at a time. Work on the light. Then the outdoor transition. They will eventually become accustomed to the dog as long as he is not a threat. Mine did. Now he can chill with them no issue.

And yes...pics please!

 

[DuckyDonna]

And then there are my runners! None of them will even go into their pen if the light is ON! They also hate peas too!

 

[chickens really]

Let darkness naturally happen as the sun goes down. Then leave them alone till the sun comes up..

 

[MsDarkAngelKisses]

Thank you everyone ! Daisy and Rose will appreciate this help

 

[MsDarkAngelKisses]

Oops Sorry about two pictures of Daisy ! She fawn n white and Rose is chocolate brown !

 

[Steven Bussell]

With my babies I used a heat plate . I raised them in their coop. So during l used the coop light or a open window for lighting depending on the weather.
After sunset the light and window was closed or off .
Now they get upset if I forget to do either on..
I'm convinced that using plates and controlled lighting is healthier safer and more humane..
Unfortunately for your chick's they need to learn to adjust to light levels.
I would install a dimmer switch and lower light trying to match out door brightness. At some point they will have to deal with being in the dark.
Same way we get babies to fall asleep.
You may just have to let them cry themselves to sleep