Weird behavior at sundown

[MiaHudy]

Hi all,
I'm a newbie. These are my first chicks, they are 7-8 weeks now (I sorta lost track of time while building the coop). Two pullets, both wyandottes, I've had them since they were 3 days old.

Coop is finally built and the girls moved in this past weekend. Starting on the first night, one of the girls, Hazel started talking LOUD as the sun was going down and it started getting dark. I thought maybe it was the "Okay this has been fun but we want back in the house now" song.

Every night since I put them in the coop the song is sung. Now both girls are singing, but it almost has a frantic sound. I walked out tonight and Hazel was squawking at me and climbing the wire on the doors.. weird. Both the girls were running around a bit with a few jumping flight attempts thrown in.

Should I be concerned? I thought maybe the sense a predator or something, but both dogs would know if something was close the the yard. Jack my German Shorthaired Point/Healer mix is super about keeping critters out, plus the whole yard is fenced. The dog knows if a possum or even a mouse or rat is about and lets us know or dispatches it.

Any ideas? as a newbie I guess I'm a little worried.

Thanks

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Well, I'm assuming they are in the run while they are doing this? Before going into the coop for the night? Have they figured out how to get into the coop and up onto the roost by themselves at sundown?

I would guess that they don't yet know that their new coop is "home."

 

[MiaHudy]

They do it while in the coop, and probably are still getting used to it. They quieted right down once it was full dark, and started making the good night peep peep noises. I am thinking they may just be getting scared as it starts to get dark.

Thanks for the reply, all the info I can get since I'm still learning helps. =)

 

[Judy]

I would guess it's just getting used to their new home, maybe afraid of the dark as you said, or just afraid of something different. Wait til they get frightened because you move a feeder or add a concrete block -- never mind get frightened of a new treat, before they figure out it's good to eat!

 

[dmack]

Do you have any light in the coop. I put a solar power light in mine. Chickens don't alway like to go into a dark coop. So a dim solar light might make them happy.. Mine refuse to go in the coop if their light isn't on

 

[centrarchid]

Sound produced usually by dominant individuals indicates going to roost and stress associated with it, especially if roost site not considered ideal.

 

[ll]

Help them onto the roost when it's roosting time for a week or so if you can... "train them" to use it.

Make sure the roosts are at least 4" wide so the whole foot is on it. (a 2x4 with the 4" side flat)
some use round sticks etc

and be sure they are able to get up onto it easily & down easily without hurting their feet. (not too high, with a soft bedding for landing)

Once it starts to get dark their eyesight is terrible - a nightlight or small solar light may help them get to the roost if it's too dark for them to see.

good luck

 

[MiaHudy]

I built them a easy to hop up on, chicken ladder. I used 2x2 's, I can redo the rungs with larger boards. They are still small enough where 85% of their feet are flat on the perch. I will get a nightlight for them.

They have not shown much interest in the perch/ladder as of yet, I had one in their brooder cage, and they used it to hang out on, but slept in a pile in the corner. I will go out after full dark and place them on the perch, I just hate to stir them up after they finally settle in. They seem to wake up whenever I open the coop access door, if I pick them up they get a little freaked. I have handled them many times a day since they were chicks, but as they got older they didn't seem to like to be picked up so much. One of them is fine as long as she initiates it by climbing on me, but Lemon the SL Wyandotte, is much more stand offish.


I think the light is a great idea, and will do that today! I do think Hazel gets spooked as it starts to get dark.

Thanks everyone!! Wonderful and helpful input =)

 

[JadeRahl]

I put my little ones outside two weeks ago with the big girls and they still act a little unsure about where to go. Lol sounds like yours just need more time. They will get there!

 

[locoguru]

Mine did that hanging on the window wire the first few days I put mine out. They are all good now.