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

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd add the chicks in now - like Mrs. K I integrate early so I would've been done by week 4 or 5. Make sure there's plenty of clutter and multiple feeders spread out, so they have space to take cover and the ability to eat even if some of the feed is being guarded.

You want around 1 linear ft of roost per bird and 1 nest box per 3-4 hens. Also look at ventilation - the more birds you have, the higher your ventilation need. In a moderate climate you're looking at 18 sq ft of ventilation for 18 adult birds.

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?

This one I'm confused on. You don't let them out in the run every day, or you don't let them free range so they're stuck in the run some days? How large is your run?

Chickens don't really "go vertical" - there's a few folks that keep flocks of more jungle fowl type breeds and those birds will use vertical space more, but a typical backyard chicken breed mostly stays on the ground. Having clutter that takes advantage of vertical space is good, but don't rely on that to make up for lack of ground space.

I personally wouldn't go under 15 sq ft of run space per hen, though the general advice here is 10 sq ft per (but that doesn't give space for clutter and enrichment items, and can be too tight for flightier or more active breeds).

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

To help reassure you on integrating, I have found that when the pullets outnumber the hens it makes it a little easier on the pullets. I currently have 7 pullets and a cockerel that I integrated with 2 grown hens . There was almost no introduction time because while I tried to keep the pullets in the bottom of the setup and the big girls in the coop (I only have one coop right now) we had an intense rain and I thought it best to put the pullets in the coop in the dark. Everyone woke up and went “who the hell are you!?” then got on with their lives. Not recommending you do that it’s just the way things shook out for me this time and I was surprised how well it went.
Edit to say I have often integrated more pullets with fewer hens and it goes well. I have previously done it as advised by previous posts.