A terrifying moment for both chicks and new chick parents, the first night out in the coop! Five weeks after the little fluff balls arrived coop was ready and their feathers had filled in. The time had come to move them into the coop. We had spent the last few weeks accumulating them to the outdoor temperatures by putting them in the bottom part of the coop to get used to grass, sun, and best of all bugs!! It was amazing watching these tiny chicks instinctively peck out harvester spiders and ants in a flash.
Two weeks old out in the grass for short periods of time to get used to the great outdoors
…the first night in the coop… We blocked off the nesting boxes so they wouldn’t get used to sleeping in there, sleeping=pooping and you want to avoid pooping habits in the nesting boxes as much as you can.
So, in the little ladies went for then night…
I was beyond nervous for them. We live down in a valley with a creek that runs through the middle of our property, which brings lots of racoons and other wildlife. I don’t think I slept a wink that night. But with all the fussing and worrying, I had to remind myself that they are chickens. They did just fine and settled right in.
They were all huddled in the corner when I checked on them one of the many times during the night.
A farm for all seasons 
Do you lock your coop door at night? We have double locks (slide bar) just in case the raccoon get smart and open one, they have a second to contend with. I lock them up every night just after sun down.
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Same here. We have three latches on the big doors to the coop, two latches to the bottom part of the coop, but only one latch on each nesting box. They would really have to be determined to get in there. I always read to have more than one latch in case they get one open, just like you said. As soon as everyone is in and the sun goes down the get locked in for the night. Raccoons are our biggest predator. I dread the day they outsmart me!
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My biggest fear is what might carry one off during the day. Ours free range in the day time and we had one attached and killed by… Well, we’re not sure what. My husband thinks cat or fox because it mangled the neck but didn’t carry off the whole bird. That was almost a month ago.
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I hear ya! We had a hen get attacked twice by a hawk. The first one we witnessed, the second one I came home to a pile of feathers. The dog ended up finding her hiding in the brush both times! Somehow she’s survived two attacks. I’m sure one day we wont be so lucky. But they just love running around out there, and I love watching them!
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Same here! They are so happy and peaceful, it makes me happy watching them.
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