When is "Bedtime?"

[laurabonitahopkins]

Thank you all for your responses! I did shut them in the coop for 3 days when they first started spending the night outside last week. Now tonight for the first time they all put themselves to bed right around 7:45! I guess I should have been more patient! I appreciate that you all took the time to reply.

Here's a picture of them after their first night outside last week, for the poster who asked for a chick-pic!

 

[earnhardtlvr]

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW...so cute!! Looks like ur coop is very nice too! Thanks for pics of the babies!!

 

[cmom]

One way is to get them used to the coop by shutting them in it or couple of days or so, then let them out. This way can get used to being inside the coop and may go in better in the evening. I also have night lights in my coops. At first I put the lights in for me so I could go out once in awhile and check on them throughout the night. I have found the birds on the floor of their coop when a light has burnt out and as soon as I replace the light they are up on their roosts. I also gave them some treats in their coop in the evenings. I started the treats when I had shut them in for at first few days and when I finally let them out they would go in for their treats in the evenings. Slowly I slowed down on the treats until I stopped giving the treats and they were going in without treats. It worked for me.

 

[angiegirl]

Does anyone else leave a light on all night for their Chickens or just me???? I am new to this and mainly started doing it for my" sense of security" for them.. Just wondering if they may perfer the darkness??

 

[earnhardtlvr]

Quote:
I had a bad experience when I was weaning them from the light at night in the brroder and one of my chicks died from being piled on. I think it was because i turned the light off for the first night. they weren't cold...they were scared. But i had weaned them off of the light. So now I have a nighlight i the coop with them that is solar powered and gives off just enough light that if one would fall off the roost they would b able to see to get back up. I will always leave the nightlight in there due to that bad experience. JMO

 

[cmom]

I have night lights in my coops too.

 

[angiegirl]

GREAT!!! That makes me feel better.. Like I said I am totally new to this & learning how to do it all.. They are like family members and I can't imagine not having some kind of like out there.. I may go and get one with a little less wattage so it is not so bright... They seem very happy right now.. they see me coming and come running to the door & then when me & my kids kneel down to feed them treats they jump on our shoulders... It is so cool...

Thanks for your responses!!