First night in coop UPSET chirping! HAPPY UPDATE & PICS!

[hennypennysmom]

Oh boy - our 5-6 week old babies are in our finished coop tonight! We put them in there this afternoon, and they were pretty surprised, flew around at each other........wouldn't go up the ladder to the hen house either.

So we placed all of them into the henhouse - about 30 mins later they had all figured out how to go DOWN the ladder!

Now - they are in the run - it's the Fort Knox of chicken coops, dug-in 12" hardware cloth, completely covers the run, locks on the doors, etc.

When we went out there after supper to check on them, they are CHIRPING louder than I've ever heard them! They are SO upset with us! I'm so upset...I want to scoop them all up and bring them back in to the house!

They are all feathered out, and getting pretty big (really outgrowing their pack & play brooder). It's in the 60s here tonight (New England)...will they be too cold? Am I being too wimpy? (yes, i know the answer is YES!).

Here's a pic from last night - it's got an egg door now, latches, etc...but gives you a general idea....:

My husband has put some hinges on the ladder, but he's against raising it at night - I think we shouldn't. It's the Garden Coop design - designed very to be very secure. But I'm thinking at the beginning when the chicks don't understand what is going on that we should shut them in the henhouse portion.

We put the water and food outside in their run - should it be in the henhouse in the beginning?

Geez - I had no idea it would be so hard. They are yelling at me when I was just out there. I'm going to go out there again now and see what they are doing....

Any advice? Or is this one of those hard chicken owner things?? I'm going out there right now....

THANKS!

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

They should be okay. They aren't used to being out there, but they will get used to it. If you are afraid they will be too cool, you could hang a light in the coop for them until they are a bit older.

 

[SushiLove]

May I suggest a battery powered light in the closed up henhouse tonight to calm them. If you like....you can place an old shirt of yours in there as well.

 

[gritsar]

Lock them in the coop with no access to the run for a few days, if possible. Water and food inside with them of course. The food being inside is less likely to attract predators and pests that way too.
They always freak out over new situations at first. They'll get over it.
Don't feel like a bad parent. They'll adjust. As much as we love our chickens, they are livestock and do much better when treated as such.

 

[TimG]

I wouldn't do anything except make sure the food is under cover so that rain can't get to it. They'll be fine. Come morning, especially if there is sunshine (don't laugh...someday there will be sunshine) they will be very happy to have free access to the run.

 

[hennypennysmom]

OK. I'm practicing deep breathing......and calming myself down!

Went out about an hour ago and DH and I put them all back in the henhouse and locked them in there. They freaked at first, but after maybe 2 minutes, they were ALL sound asleep - heads tucked into feathers.

Thanks EVERYONE for the great advice - I feel much better knowing that I'm not crazy - and that we are doing the right thing! I was thinking that we should shut them up in the henhouse each night for a while so they learn that this is their new home....we didn't put the food/water in there tonight though - and I really don't want to wake them up now and get them all re-agitated...they'll be OK tonight, right? They are asleep afterall (hopefully!). I'm sure I won't be getting much sleep tonight and will check on them several times...

Here is a pic of the completed coop...now I need to research chicken-friendly plants to put around it.

 

[ClairedeLune]

Gorgeous coop! I'm sure your chicks will be fine.

 

[Drulie]

i agree the coop is beautiful!!

 

[Autumn Mama]

Yes, the first night is hard......for us!

I remember when our flock spent the first night out too, back inMay. Now they are loving their coop + run, and they go inside all by themselves when the sun sets. So cool!

You shouldn't need to check on them, the coop looks secure and on the small side, so thier body warmth should suffice at their age. Enjoy some sleep!

 

[redhen]

I remember that feeling! NOw i've brooded so many babies in my house i give a big sigh of relief when i can finally get them outside!

They will be fine as long as they dont have a big temp change and no predators can get into their safe little coop. good luck!