moving to the coop

Date sort Score sort
lexie1214

lexie1214

Chirping
7 Years
Mar 12, 2016
29
7
89
We are getting ready to move our 5 week old chicks into their coop this week! I have read on here that you need to keep them "cooped up" in their coop for a couple of weeks to establish that this is their new home. Question... is it ok to take them out at all during those 2 weeks? Or do they need to stay in there 24/7. we have not been able to paint the coop yet, should we wait to paint it after the two weeks or is it ok to let them free range a little each day? Thanks!
 
It won't harm them to be out, they would very much enjoy it. The problem will come when you want them to return to the coop. They will not know where to go for the night and you will need to either catch them and carry them to the coop (I can never manage this), or herd them into the coop (I find this easier but am really glad no one has ever shot a video of me doing this)
 
OrganicFarmWife said:
It won't harm them to be out, they would very much enjoy it. The problem will come when you want them to return to the coop. They will not know where to go for the night and you will need to either catch them and carry them to the coop (I can never manage this), or herd them into the coop (I find this easier but am really glad no one has ever shot a video of me doing this)
Click to expand...


Lol I agree with this statement, especially the video part.

I just put mine in the coop a week and a half ago. I kept them locked up for two nights then started letting them out on evenings and weekends. Most of the chickens would go in, but the ducks wouldn't. Tonight was the first night that everyone went in together without any herding.

I think just chickens would have figured it out very fast.
 
I've never dealt with ducks, but after a full day/night in the coop every group of chicks we've graduated into the hen house have came back in for the night with no problems after free ranging with the flock all day. Smart farts!
 

Similar threads

WesterBee
Move to the coop?
2
Replies
16
Views
2K
WesterBee
WesterBee
A
Moving chicks into the coop in Minnesota
Replies
5
Views
1K
NatJ
NatJ
M
    • Like
Question about chickens being outside in coop
Replies
3
Views
1K
Miriahbrown
M
W
    • Like
    • Love
Officially moved to the coop
Replies
1
Views
397
Sally PB
S
D
Moving chicks into coop
2
Replies
14
Views
1K
DogWalker
D

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom