When to let chicks out of the coop into the run?

[DogCatChickMom]

I am new to chickens too but my chicks automatically knew to go in at dusk... I never had to put them in. I did close the door at night though because I would get paranoid. I have never had a problem with them not going in, I think somehow they just know to. Just put them inside the coop first with the door open, they will explore out and back in cautiously.

 

[K813ZRA]

Okay so they have been in the coop/run for 5 days now but I have to catch them every night to put them away and when I do they are terrified! They all lay on top of each other and peck at the door frantically. I have read other threads about this and their seems to be two suggestions one being to lock them up for 3 days or so and the other is to give them a night light. If I am going to keep them in the coop this is the week to do it as it is in the 70s and rainy this week. That said I am thinking they are just afraid of the dark as I went out this morning and they were fine. Exploring the coop and playing. The problem is only at night.

So it seems I have three options.

# 1 Keep catching them and hope they get it
# 2 Give them a night light
# 3 Leave them in the coop for a few days

Any suggestions? Because They can get under the coop and I can catch them but it is killer on my back wattling like a duck. Fortunately most of them will come to me if I just sit down but the three young roos and two of the pullets play the cat and mouse game.

Thank you in advance.

 

[bobbi-j]

Or wait until after dark to catch and put them in. It will be less traumatizing for them (and you) to chase them around every night. I'd try the nightlight before lockng them up for a few days. It has worked for me. Even better if you can put it on a timer. How big is your coop (feet x feet) and how well ventilated is it? That would be another consideration before locking them in. If it's one of those premade little doll house coops, I'd be concerned about enough room for them to be kept in for any length of time.

 

[K813ZRA]

Or wait until after dark to catch and put them in. It will be less traumatizing for them (and you) to chase them around every night. I'd try the nightlight before lockng them up for a few days. It has worked for me. Even better if you can put it on a timer. How big is your coop (feet x feet) and how well ventilated is it? That would be another consideration before locking them in. If it's one of those premade little doll house coops, I'd be concerned about enough room for them to be kept in for any length of time.

8 foot by 8 foot with 24 square feet of ventilation in the eves of the roof plus windows and doors that can be oppened.

 

[aart]

Quote: How many birds?

 

[DogCatChickMom]

How dark is it outside when you are trying to catch them?? Will they stay outside all night if you don't put them in? Mine go in pretty late.
Did you put a light inside the coop like someone suggested?

 

[K813ZRA]

I have 12 chicks in there so that is about 5.33 sf per bird. Yes they will stay out all night if I let them. I have not tried the light as it was suggested today and it is midday yet.

If it is needed information they have about 10.6 sf per bird in the run that is covered. Like my other flock I inted to free range them eventually.

Oddly the other coop and run is the same size yet my other flock did not have this issue.

 

[K813ZRA]

Well as I said befoe I did not take them out of the coop this morning and I have been checking on them evey two hours and they seem to be doing fine. Eating, playing, drinking and they have finally discovered their roost. No panting either so I dont think they are too hot. Maybe they just need to become acustomed to their new home.

 

[aart]

Well as I said befoe I did not take them out of the coop this morning and I have been checking on them evey two hours and they seem to be doing fine. Eating, playing, drinking and they have finally discovered their roost. No panting either so I dont think they are too hot. Maybe they just need to become acustomed to their new home.

Could be....but....at some point most young birds seem to defy 'going to bed' in a timely fashion.
Light might work.....or let them settle where they will and put them in the cop on the roost, well after dark is the easiest to catch them.
Are there windows in the coop for natural light? That can help too.

 

[K813ZRA]

Could be....but....at some point most young birds seem to defy 'going to bed' in a timely fashion.
Light might work.....or let them settle where they will and put them in the cop on the roost, well after dark is the easiest to catch them.
Are there windows in the coop for natural light? That can help too.

There are windows but I cant see them getting much if any natural light at night here. My entire yard is covered in 100 plush foot thick fir trees.