Adopting 5 older gals...

[Mrprez]

I went down early...pre-coffee even, how great a Dad am I...to check on my mini-flock. I peeked into the coop through one of the side vents and they were all up. I opened the pop door and they peeked out a bit. Gave them some feed to entice them to come out. It took awhile, but they all finally came out and immediately started doing what chickens do.

 

[aart]

How long should I keep them in the coop to train them to know where to go each evening?

At least a week...or they may head right back to the neighbors place.

 

[Mrprez]

Oops, they are already out. I’ll be keeping a close watch on them.

 

[aart]

Oops, they are already out. I’ll be keeping a close watch on them.

I saw that Best of cLuck!

 

[Mrprez]

It's about half mile back to their previous residence. They were kept inside the coop/run and not allowed to roam at all. They seem quite happy here.

 

[313759]

Oh wow, what pretty hens! They look pretty happy alright, scratching around. Overall just being chickens, gotta love'em.

 

[Mrprez]

They seem very happy, they have already been around the garage at least once.

 

[Shadrach]

You're coop size is fine as long as you free range them. Let them out as early as possible and try to there at night when they return to roost.
A treat feed last thing before roosting is what I use to make sure a) all are accounted for and b) to get any pro tree huggers on the ground and more easily encouraged into their coops.
If they are used to having a rooster in the flock they will need to establish a new hierarchy.
This may involve a bit of bickering and the occasional spat of violence. Don't be tempted to interfere is my advice unless one is severely injured. Bloody combs and a few missing feathers is fine. Bring the injured in at night to patch them up and stick them back on the perch with the others.
You haven't mentioned predators. Everywhere has them but often you don't realise until you start losing chickens. Try to find out what you have in your area and think about the coop location and the availability of cover for the chickens in that locality.
Chicks are cute, but you can't beat a bit of maturity.
Good luck.

 

[aart]

It's about half mile back to their previous residence. They were kept inside the coop/run and not allowed to roam at all. They seem quite happy here.

You might start some 'rattle can training'.....some treat in a jar/can rattle it an call them over, so they know that sound means good stuff!

 

[Mrprez]

We have all the predators here. Bears, coyotes, Fox, raccoons and possum. Hawks but no eagles.

I’m trying the rattle can training. Nothing so far but will keep it up.

Today was a good day although I had to herd them away from the neighbor’s fence a few times. Then a thunderstorm came up late in the day, just about 7 or so. I went out to see if they would go inside. Only one did, I had to catch the rest.

They really enjoyed being outside again. I foresee a run being added on to the coop though, they can get into too much trouble when not being supervised.