Chicks won’t put themselves to bed!

[cktap62]

We moved our 7 five week old chicks out to the coop on Sunday. We are having unusually warm weather here in MN and they weren’t going under the heater in the dog pen anyway. Since there is no shade yet, the coop heats up during the day - it’s way too hot to lock them in. They love the run and go in/out during the day, but huddle together outside at dusk. We have had to go out there every night and put them in. What to do?? Thanks!

 

[Ajp23]

Are you sure it’s heat related? Often, young chicks don’t really know to go in the coop every night unless you put them in yourself for a while. Then they catch on and will go in at dusk or slightly before. We’ve had some take weeks to catch on.

If it is heat related then maybe you need to take a look at your ventilation so that you’re prepared for summer weather.

 

[cktap62]

Are you sure it’s heat related? Often, young chicks don’t really know to go in the coop every night unless you put them in yourself for a while. Then they catch on and will go in at dusk or slightly before. We’ve had some take weeks to catch on.

If it is heat related then maybe you need to take a look at your ventilation so that you’re prepared for summer weather.

No, I don’t think it’s heat related. I have heard to lock them in the coop for a few days, but we can’t because it’s so hot in there during the day. Once we get leaves on the trees it’ll be nice and shady.

 

[Chicken Heel]

Over the years, I have put hundreds of chicks in their coops for a few nights until they get the hang of it.

 

[cktap62]

Over the years, I have put hundreds of chicks in their coops for a few nights until they get the hang of it.

Ok, I guess we just keep doing it. They also don’t go on the roost, the huddle on the floor

 

[NNYchick]

I have had to put a small night light in for grow outs so if it gets dark they follow the light. I have used a small battery operated keychain light. I go in after dark to check on them and shut it off.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Can we get a picture of your setup? Sometimes if there is a ramp, ladder or steps up to the coop, chicks don't figure that out very quickly. Are there windows in the coop? If it's just a big dark cave, that can be off-putting to them too. What about ventilation? If it's still hot from the day they may not be willing to go in until it cools off a bit.

As for sleeping on the floor, don't worry. They'll outgrow that over time.

 

[K0k0shka]

The chicks don't know that the coop is meant for sleeping. How would they? A coop is a human invention, and humans have decided that that's where chickens should sleep. Unless somebody teaches them, there's no way for them to figure it out on their own. Chickens have no instinct to go inside an enclosed space to sleep. In nature, their ancestors would've roosted in the trees. They didn't live in dens or burrows like other animals, so they don't have an instinct to go inside anything to sleep. If they were with a broody hen, she would teach them by leading them into the coop and settling in there to sleep with them. Without a hen, somebody else has to do that and teach them what the coop is for - you!

 

[AshVau22]

Always takes mine about 1 to 2 weeks of putting them in every night till they learn to put themselves to bed. Some learn faster than others.

 

[cktap62]

Can we get a picture of your setup? Sometimes if there is a ramp, ladder or steps up to the coop, chicks don't figure that out very quickly. Are there windows in the coop? If it's just a big dark cave, that can be off-putting to them too. What about ventilation? If it's still hot from the day they may not be willing to go in until it cools off a bit.

As for sleeping on the floor, don't worry. They'll outgrow that over time.

This is before we moved them out. Since then we put bedding in the coop and food/water in the run. There’s one window and vents up high on 2 sides. We put a light in that I can turn off with my phone.