Unhappy Chicks

[babs1952]

Late today I moved my chicks to their final outside living quarters. As dark came around they huddled at the entrance and chirped constantly as if they were crying to get out (don't laugh). I have been placing them in their run outdoors most days so I thought they would be comfortable outdoors overnight. Not so. They would not stay in the hen house long enough for me to close the pop door. I returned them to the comforts of their crate in the garage. There are four who are now 7 weeks old. Thoughts?

 

[TheGoldenGirlz]

Is it maybe too cold for them? Have you shown them their food and water?

 

[abrants99]

We have been doing the same with our 6 5 1/2 week old chicks. It has been cold at night here in MA (30s) and we were just not comfortable leaving them out there. We are trying it tonight for the first time. When last checked they are all huddled in one corner of the coop - almost laying on top of each other. I hope they will be fine but it is time to get them out of the house.

 

[babs1952]

Is it maybe too cold for them? Have you shown them their food and water?

It's 60 right now so I don't think so although they do seem to be bothered by the breeze. Yes, they had been eating and drinking for the last few hours. They just seem scared. I guess I should just keep transporting them to the run in the daytime for a few more days.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Chickens are very much creatures of routine. If their routine is messed up, they don't like it, especially chicks. How old are your chicks? if they are mostly feathered, they should be fine overnight without a heat source. They are tougher than you think.

 

[Al Capon]

Have they experienced "dark" before? Mine hadn't, wouldn't enter a dark roosting box. Had to put a light in there for a while till they got used to going in and out.

 

[babs1952]

Chickens are very much creatures of routine. If their routine is messed up, they don't like it, especially chicks. How old are your chicks? if they are mostly feathered, they should be fine overnight without a heat source. They are tougher than you think.

I'm guessing it's the routine, then. They are 7 weeks old...and your last comment makes me laugh. I have an acquaintance who said I worry too much! Maybe I'm the one who's not tough enough.

 

[coach723]

Can you move your crate into the coop? Sometimes they get pretty freaked out with changes, so making them as gradual as you can may help. If they go from relatively small crate to a larger coop they may be overwhelmed, it doesn't feel like home to them yet. I usually provide a smaller crate for them at first, just leave it open for them to the larger space, and as they get accustomed to the larger space they will begin to migrate there. A light can also be helpful, you can use a small led lantern or flashlight, once they are in, you can turn it off and they should settle down. They are often reluctant to go into a dark, unfamiliar space.

 

[babs1952]

Have they experienced "dark" before? Mine hadn't, wouldn't enter a dark roosting box. Had to put a light in there for a while till they got used to going in and out.

I have turned off the light twice now that it is warming up but I never stayed with them to see if they were unhappy. That makes sense too.

 

[babs1952]

Can you move your crate into the coop? Sometimes they get pretty freaked out with changes, so making them as gradual as you can may help. If they go from relatively small crate to a larger coop they may be overwhelmed, it doesn't feel like home to them yet. I usually provide a smaller crate for them at first, just leave it open for them to the larger space, and as they get accustomed to the larger space they will begin to migrate there. A light can also be helpful, you can use a small led lantern or flashlight, once they are in, you can turn it off and they should settle down. They are often reluctant to go into a dark, unfamiliar space.

Thank you all for the advice. I feel like I have a place to start.