Adding 24 to existing flock of 4

[aart]

I'd go with C then, but you might have to wrangle chicks into the coop at dusk.
Could reduce steepness of ramp by putting half a concrete block, or something, underneath low end.
Could also leave the coop part closed up for another week or so.

 

[Matzwd]

I'd go with C then, but you might have to wrangle chicks into the coop at dusk.
Could reduce steepness of ramp by putting half a concrete block, or something, underneath low end.
Could also leave the coop part closed up for another week or so.

Yes to all above. I will move them outside this week (with the brooder plate). The bigs are out of their run all day, so they will be able to see and not touch the littles all day long. In a couple of weeks, I can start with small escape doors for little to explore outside their run. They have to get big enough for the chain link to contain them. Hopefully by then the new coop will be ready so I can separate standards and bantams.

Thank you for "talking" me through!

 

[Merci BeauCoop]

I would divide your babies now into the groups you want them to be in and brood them where they will live permanently (next to your older birds). If you have 2 heat plates it should be easy. I agree it's almost like integrating the 4 in with the babies. My chicks are almost 3 weeks old and my older hens have been somewhat afraid of the new babies, I'd hate to see what happened if they never met until later, especially with a larger group like you have.

I used @aart 's method of integration last year and again currently, very easy and peaceful.
View attachment 1746360 View attachment 1746361 View attachment 1746362

If you can just make some sort of divider in the coop between the chicks, you'll only need it for a few weeks. I start with HWC divider (middle pic) for a week or 2, then switch to something the chicks can come and go through but hens can't fit (3rd pic with 3.5" spaces) for another week or so. The babies will gain confidence and follow what the older birds do and start roosting on their own.

If you plan for both flocks to range together at times, it would probably be a good idea to also get those groups together as often as possible in an open area so everyone is familiar with each other. And have multiple food and water stations available to help reduce squabbling.

Wow! This is SO great! I have the same issue coming up (22 babies and 5 six-week-olds). We just moved the older kids out to the coop 2 days ago and were wondering how we were going to integrate the 22 babies when they are old enough to move out to the coop. This is perfect! Thank you for your insight and thank you Matzwd for asking my question for me. Perfect timing!

 

[Matzwd]

This is perfect! Thank you for your insight and thank you Matzwd for asking my question for me. Perfect timing!

I was just curious about your scenario, if you don't mind giving more details and sharing potential solutions to your situation with your babies.
I delayed moving mine outside because of storms for almost a week straight. Then I checked the forecast one day and decided I just had to make the move. The dust was out of control, and so was the smell! They are all in the grow out coop for now while we work on the new coop. Some (about seven out of the 24) are venturing down into the run during the day, but not all. When they all seem comfortable with that, I'll start with escape holes between their run and the big chicken yard. Then, after we've done that for a week or two, I will start placing the standards on the roost with the big girls at night and retrieve them in the morning before any drama happens. Hopefully, the other coop will be finished by then, and we will be able to switch the bantams to that from the grow out coop.

My new coop WILL have a brooder area in it!

 

[Merci BeauCoop]

I was just curious about your scenario, if you don't mind giving more details and sharing potential solutions to your situation with your babies.
I delayed moving mine outside because of storms for almost a week straight. Then I checked the forecast one day and decided I just had to make the move. The dust was out of control, and so was the smell! They are all in the grow out coop for now while we work on the new coop. Some (about seven out of the 24) are venturing down into the run during the day, but not all. When they all seem comfortable with that, I'll start with escape holes between their run and the big chicken yard. Then, after we've done that for a week or two, I will start placing the standards on the roost with the big girls at night and retrieve them in the morning before any drama happens. Hopefully, the other coop will be finished by then, and we will be able to switch the bantams to that from the grow out coop.

My new coop WILL have a brooder area in it!

We were at the exact same place with our five 6-week-olds -- dust & smell - plus they decided it was time to wander into the kitchen from the laundry room where their playpen was located. They went into the coop that night. They have now spent 2 nights in the coop and seem to be doing well. We go out and visit them several times a day, as well as just before bed and when we first wake up. (It is an adjustment for us as well. We miss being able to walk by and chat with them). The 22 four-day-olds had us worried. We didn't know how to integrate 22 into a coop with 5. Our coop is 8' X 8' with a 10' X 12' covered run. What FlappyFeathers suggested is exactly what we are going to do. (Thank you FlappyFeathers ). We will build a brooder under the roosts. The plan is to make a "sleeve" with two 2" X 2" boards on both sides of the coop under the roost bars and slide a piece of plywood between them for the roof of the brooder. (It will be removable when we are finished using it for the year.) Then for the front, we will make a frame and put either hardware cloth or poultry fencing over it and make similar vertical "sleeves" to slide it into for the front. We have a cleanout door on the back of the coop which will be perfect for access to the chick and for food and water. At least, that is the plan for now. What do you think? Do you think that will work? These are our "first ever" chickens. I will attach photos of the coop. (The roost bars aren't in the photo but are right above the clean-out door - you can see the brackets that they sit in.)

The renegades looking for trouble...That night was their first night in the coop

 

[feathermaid]

Wow! This is SO great! I have the same issue coming up (22 babies and 5 six-week-olds). We just moved the older kids out to the coop 2 days ago and were wondering how we were going to integrate the 22 babies when they are old enough to move out to the coop. This is perfect! Thank you for your insight and thank you Matzwd for asking my question for me. Perfect timing!

Good! Though I do believe integration early as possible is key. The sooner they all get together within sight, the less squabbling will be later on. Six weeks isn't that much age difference, but just enough that when hormones start kicking in, your older ones might not be as "tolerant" as adults would be. People add mixed ages together all the time with varying results, the most successful are usually done early.

With 22 babies coming, you probably have the space to brood right out in the coop. I keep my babies in the house for a week before they move outside... I just run an extension cord for the heat source (mama heating pad), and some other folks start brooding in the coop from the first day. You might find it makes integration so much less stressful. Here's some links about some other experiences that may help you:
Start Raising Your Chicks Outdoors
You Certainly Can Brood Chicks Outdoors
Integrating at 4 weeks old
Coop Brooder and Integration

**edit** @Merci BeauCoop I wrote this in reply this morning but didn't actually hit the post button!!
@Matzwd those links might be helpful for you too

 

[feathermaid]

I was just curious about your scenario, if you don't mind giving more details and sharing potential solutions to your situation with your babies.
I delayed moving mine outside because of storms for almost a week straight. Then I checked the forecast one day and decided I just had to make the move. The dust was out of control, and so was the smell! They are all in the grow out coop for now while we work on the new coop. Some (about seven out of the 24) are venturing down into the run during the day, but not all. When they all seem comfortable with that, I'll start with escape holes between their run and the big chicken yard. Then, after we've done that for a week or two, I will start placing the standards on the roost with the big girls at night and retrieve them in the morning before any drama happens. Hopefully, the other coop will be finished by then, and we will be able to switch the bantams to that from the grow out coop.

My new coop WILL have a brooder area in it!

I totally know what you mean about the dust! My first batch of chicks stayed in the house for about 4-5 weeks before I just couldn't stand it anymore. I was using a heat lamp back then and was always stressed about how they could survive outside... so much worry for no real reason at all. Chicks are much more resilient than we give them credit for sometimes!
And yes, a coop brooder is a lifesaver!!

We were at the exact same place with our five 6-week-olds -- dust & smell - plus they decided it was time to wander into the kitchen from the laundry room where their playpen was located. They went into the coop that night. They have now spent 2 nights in the coop and seem to be doing well. We go out and visit them several times a day, as well as just before bed and when we first wake up. (It is an adjustment for us as well. We miss being able to walk by and chat with them). The 22 four-day-olds had us worried. We didn't know how to integrate 22 into a coop with 5. Our coop is 8' X 8' with a 10' X 12' covered run. What FlappyFeathers suggested is exactly what we are going to do. (Thank you FlappyFeathers ). We will build a brooder under the roosts. The plan is to make a "sleeve" with two 2" X 2" boards on both sides of the coop under the roost bars and slide a piece of plywood between them for the roof of the brooder. (It will be removable when we are finished using it for the year.) Then for the front, we will make a frame and put either hardware cloth or poultry fencing over it and make similar vertical "sleeves" to slide it into for the front. We have a cleanout door on the back of the coop which will be perfect for access to the chick and for food and water. At least, that is the plan for now. What do you think? Do you think that will work? These are our "first ever" chickens. I will attach photos of the coop. (The roost bars aren't in the photo but are right above the clean-out door - you can see the brackets that they sit in.)

View attachment 1764322 View attachment 1764323 View attachment 1764324 View attachment 1764325 View attachment 1764326The renegades looking for trouble...That night was their first night in the coop

Those all sound like good ideas to me and your coop looks awesome! But if you're planning on building a brooder under the roosts (which is a perfect spot!) why not just make the "roof" part permanent? The front can still be removable like you say, but that area may come in handy at any time in the future if you need to separate an injured bird that needs protection, or if you want to separate a mean bully.

You can also turn that roof into a poop board or tray, which will make clean up sooooo easy. I fill mine with Sweet PDZ stall refresher and just scoop it like cat litter into a bucket and toss it in my compost bin. The rest of the coop is pine shavings. Since most poop in the coop comes from roost droppings at nighttime, the shavings only need to be cleaned out once or twice a year. The PDZ is also excellent at keeping away odor and ammonia fumes. A poop tray/convertible brooder is a win win!

 

[Merci BeauCoop]

Those all sound like good ideas to me and your coop looks awesome! But if you're planning on building a brooder under the roosts (which is a perfect spot!) why not just make the "roof" part permanent? The front can still be removable like you say, but that area may come in handy at any time in the future if you need to separate an injured bird that needs protection, or if you want to separate a mean bully.

You can also turn that roof into a poop board or tray, which will make clean up sooooo easy. I fill mine with Sweet PDZ stall refresher and just scoop it like cat litter into a bucket and toss it in my compost bin. The rest of the coop is pine shavings. Since most poop in the coop comes from roost droppings at nighttime, the shavings only need to be cleaned out once or twice a year. The PDZ is also excellent at keeping away odor and ammonia fumes. A poop tray/convertible brooder is a win win![/QUOTE]
Thank you! I'm loving the coop - my husband is a very sweet man.
I keep hearing about the "deep litter method" and wonder if that is better than a "poop board" or if you need both? As I mentioned, I am all new to this so am looking for advice...

 

[feathermaid]

Thank you! I'm loving the coop - my husband is a very sweet man.
I keep hearing about the "deep litter method" and wonder if that is better than a "poop board" or if you need both? As I mentioned, I am all new to this so am looking for advice...

Yes, deep litter method is great. Though true deep litter does take some dedication to achieve, needing about 6-12" of packed litter. I think it was originally used to manage large poultry houses, and it will build it's own ecosystem of micro organisms which is actually supposed to provide extra nutrients and cut down on feed, which is awesome. Many blogs misadvise how to do it... definitely do not use DE (diatomaceous earth) as it may harm the biological action. Here's a pretty accurate FAQ
http://www.plamondon.com/wp/deep-litter-chicken-coops/

I use a semi-deep litter system, it's seems easier for me to manage. I worry a lot about ventilation and ammonia/moisture buildup so I prefer to use the poop tray and remove droppings regularly. The shavings on the floor remain fairly clean so I only add small amounts of fresh litter very occasionally. My coop is much smaller than yours, but this is what it looks like inside after 10 months:


It's all a personal decision. I think pretty much everyone keeps learning and making adjustments as they go along. I used sand under the roosts when I first started and it was just too stinky to me after about a year, even with changing it out. But I just love the PDZ! Sometimes it just takes some time and first-hand experience to see how stuff works in your own situation.


Sorry OP...

(I didn't mean to)

 

[aart]

I keep hearing about the "deep litter method" and wonder if that is better than a "poop board" or if you need both?

Poop boards and deep litter are two different regimes.
If you want to do a true deep litter in the coop, you don't want to use a poop board.
Deep bedding is different than deep litter...both terms are often misused and misunderstood. The moisture needed for a true deep litter is not something I want in the coop.