Adding new chickens and upgrading my coop

[RCRanchGirl]

I have a few questions:

First, I currently have 5 older chickens in my flock. I also have 8 chicks that are 7–8 weeks old that I’d like to integrate. They’ve been in the chicken run in a separate pen (safe but visible to the older birds) for about 2 weeks. How much longer do I need to wait before mixing the groups? The curiosity factor seems to have worn off for my older gals, and the chicks are quickly outgrowing their pen. I read that I need to wait until they’re 15 weeks old—is that true? I can’t remember if I waited that long the last time I did this.

Second, I need to upgrade some things in my current coop. I need to install more roosting bars and add more nesting boxes. In total (before I remove what I think are 5 roosters—so I expect to have around 13 hens), I’ll have 18 chickens. How many nesting boxes do I really need, and how much perch space?

Third, I’d like to maximize their run space. Unfortunately, I can’t let them out every day—most days, but not every. Does building vertical structures help give them more space? My coop is about 10 feet tall. I was thinking about creating different levels they can climb onto to walk around and play.

What’s the ideal space size per hen?

I know that’s a lot —thank you for taking the time to read and give your input! I’m just trying to keep my chickens as happy and healthy as possible with the space I have.

 

[Mrs. K]

Space and how you use space is very important in creating peace in the flock. I am a big believer in adding clutter - roosts, platforms, mini walls - things that make it hard to walk through but actually allow chickens to get away from each other, and to use the vertical space

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

This is how I make use of my space.

13 full size birds - kind of sort of need 52 square feet - so 7 x 8 - give or take. I personally like a coop I can walk into. As for linear roosts about 13 feet. Now - these ratios are not an exact science - as quite a bit is about each individual bird. Some can take a bit of over crowding easily, and some with the slightest of tightness in the coop - break out aggressive and ugly behavior.

4 nests will work for that many birds - I generally run about a dozen give or take - and that is what I use.

As for getting the chicks into the flock, I tend to do it about 3-4 weeks, so your are easily able to go. I find the easiest way is to lift the fence that you have them sectioned off in, just up off the floor a couple of inches. Continue to feed in there, and water in there. Then not right next too, but close by, put a pallet up on bricks. Not too high. This is a hideout and escape. Chicks can escape to it from all four directions, and while a hen might stick her head under there, they should be out of reach.

Wait a bit, unti a chick gets brave enough to come out of the brooder fence, give a mock chase, so that the chicks scurries back under the fence into the brooder. There- you are done. The chicks will get brave on their terms. Escape back into the safety zones as needed. Do keep the feed in the safety zone for a week. Do have multiple feed bowls all over the run, situated so that they cannot see someone else eating at a feed bowl.

Good luck, this is a fun hobby that I have loved for years.

Mrs K