Pullets won't sleep in coop :-(

[johnsonurbanfarmproject]

We're in the process of introducing our three 10-week-old babies (2 pullets, one rooster which we're keeping as long as we can) to the little flock, and are at the point where the hens are not picking on them much and they are coexisting well in the same run or free ranging during the day. The challenge is that a little before sunset, the babies start making the saddest chirping sounds (like a duck quack, weirdly enough), and trying desperately to escape, even shoving their heads through any little crack. It's pure desperation, and so hard to listen to if you're a chicken lover like me.

We've tried putting them into the coop, showing them where to sleep, putting them on the roost... and each time they sprint out as fast as possible and continue to try to get out. Tonight we just couldn't take their heartbreaking quacks any longer, and opened the door... they all ran out of the coop and into the garage, and jumped into their familiar brooder, a large trough/tub that we cover with a wire mesh panel. Has anyone else had a situation like this? Everything I read is more related to showing them how to get in/where to sleep, rather than dealing with apparent chicken anxiety. :-/ Help!

 

[pennyJo1960]

We're in the process of introducing our three 10-week-old babies (2 pullets, one rooster which we're keeping as long as we can) to the little flock, and are at the point where the hens are not picking on them much and they are coexisting well in the same run or free ranging during the day. The challenge is that a little before sunset, the babies start making the saddest chirping sounds (like a duck quack, weirdly enough), and trying desperately to escape, even shoving their heads through any little crack. It's pure desperation, and so hard to listen to if you're a chicken lover like me.

We've tried putting them into the coop, showing them where to sleep, putting them on the roost... and each time they sprint out as fast as possible and continue to try to get out. Tonight we just couldn't take their heartbreaking quacks any longer, and opened the door... they all ran out of the coop and into the garage, and jumped into their familiar brooder, a large trough/tub that we cover with a wire mesh panel. Has anyone else had a situation like this? Everything I read is more related to showing them how to get in/where to sleep, rather than dealing with apparent chicken anxiety. :-/ Help!

you need a door that shuts to keep them in , it will keep them safe if they are able to come and go it will not work

 

[pennyJo1960]

Shut the garage door they think that is home

 

[johnsonurbanfarmproject]

you need a door that shuts to keep them in , it will keep them safe if they are able to come and go it will not work

It is a fully secure enclosure, but closes at dusk and opens in the morning (it's automatic/light sensitive). So far we'd been showing them in when it was still a little light out because we read that it's important for them to be able to see it. Should we wait until it's closed and then put them in? And leave them there overnight, even if they don't go up to roost? Thanks so much!

 

[johnsonurbanfarmproject]

Shut the garage door they think that is home

Even when it's closed and we don't let them out, like we did tonight, they just keep quacking (constantly, from like 8-9:30 pm--until we finally take them out because we just can't handle their sad sounds). Any tips on how to get them feeling comfortable in their new one? Do we just have to lock them in and deal with the agonizing sad sounds for a while? :-/

 

[pennyJo1960]

It is a fully secure enclosure, but closes at dusk and opens in the morning (it's automatic/light sensitive). So far we'd been showing them in when it was still a little light out because we read that it's important for them to be able to see it. Should we wait until it's closed and then put them in? And leave them there overnight, even if they don't go up to roost? Thanks so much!

yes surely if you want put a little night light might make it easier

 

[meetthebubus]

I've read lots of bad things about lights in coop you might try putting the brooder in the coop if possible so they can acclimate the coop with something that makes them feel safe and transition that way

I made my brooder out of plywood the same material as the coop so when it was time to take them outside they were comfortable with the area, the coop, it was what they knew

They still had chirping anxiety and many would jump on me to roost but they outgrew it and just stuck close together

For me I think bringing what they know to where they don't will help in the transition

I think it's strange they are crying after dark, mine stopped chirping at dark

 

[johnsonurbanfarmproject]

I've read lots of bad things about lights in coop you might try putting the brooder in the coop if possible so they can acclimate the coop with something that makes them feel safe and transition that way

I made my brooder out of plywood the same material as the coop so when it was time to take them outside they were comfortable with the area, the coop, it was what they knew

They still had chirping anxiety and many would jump on me to roost but they outgrew it and just stuck close together

For me I think bringing what they know to where they don't will help in the transition

I think it's strange they are crying after dark, mine stopped chirping at dark

Thanks so much! We've never used a light in the coop, and probably won't, even if "just" because it would keep the light-sensitive door from closing. Unfortunately our brooder is too big to fit in the enclosed coop :-/ ... we have a small-ish coop that they basically just sleep/lay eggs in and then they have a big run where they spend the day. But that's a good idea about trying to bring something in that they know, even just like the little wood block they roost on in their brooder. And we'll try to wait it out a little longer to see what happens after dark (we've so far only waited till about dark). Thanks so much for the tips!

 

[EIEIO_farm]

We're in the process of introducing our three 10-week-old babies (2 pullets, one rooster which we're keeping as long as we can) to the little flock, and are at the point where the hens are not picking on them much and they are coexisting well in the same run or free ranging during the day. The challenge is that a little before sunset, the babies start making the saddest chirping sounds (like a duck quack, weirdly enough), and trying desperately to escape, even shoving their heads through any little crack. It's pure desperation, and so hard to listen to if you're a chicken lover like me.

We've tried putting them into the coop, showing them where to sleep, putting them on the roost... and each time they sprint out as fast as possible and continue to try to get out. Tonight we just couldn't take their heartbreaking quacks any longer, and opened the door... they all ran out of the coop and into the garage, and jumped into their familiar brooder, a large trough/tub that we cover with a wire mesh panel. Has anyone else had a situation like this? Everything I read is more related to showing them how to get in/where to sleep, rather than dealing with apparent chicken anxiety. :-/ Help!

We had a similar situation with chickens that were not full grown, and they had their own little clique. What we did was put a plastic storage bin with an opening we carved out with a razor blade right next to the older chickens. That way they were able to have their own space, safe from the bigger chickens and after a few weeks the younger ones were comfortable enough to sleep with the others.

 

[EIEIO_farm]

We're in the process of introducing our three 10-week-old babies (2 pullets, one rooster which we're keeping as long as we can) to the little flock, and are at the point where the hens are not picking on them much and they are coexisting well in the same run or free ranging during the day. The challenge is that a little before sunset, the babies start making the saddest chirping sounds (like a duck quack, weirdly enough), and trying desperately to escape, even shoving their heads through any little crack. It's pure desperation, and so hard to listen to if you're a chicken lover like me.

We've tried putting them into the coop, showing them where to sleep, putting them on the roost... and each time they sprint out as fast as possible and continue to try to get out. Tonight we just couldn't take their heartbreaking quacks any longer, and opened the door... they all ran out of the coop and into the garage, and jumped into their familiar brooder, a large trough/tub that we cover with a wire mesh panel. Has anyone else had a situation like this? Everything I read is more related to showing them how to get in/where to sleep, rather than dealing with apparent chicken anxiety. :-/ Help!

We had a similar situation with chickens that were not full grown, and they had their own little clique. What we did was put a plastic storage bin with an opening we carved out with a razor blade right next to the older chickens. That way they were able to have their own space, safe from the bigger chickens and after a few weeks the younger ones were comfortable enough to sleep with the others.