Can chickens that were penned, free range?

[bizzynik]

We free range our chickens. They have about 2 acres that they have the run of. They don't use that much by far, thank goodness! Awhile back I purchased some pullets roughly the same age as my flock, and quarantined them away from my flock. Last week it was time to integrate them in the same coop, and everyone is getting along just fine. The problem is that the old flock takes off like a bat out of hell when we open the door in the morning, while I pretty much have to shoo the new girls out several times a day. They were contained in a run with acces to a coop at thier old location. The old flock will come and go throughout the day to drink and eat some crumbles, which is ideal. With these new girls staying in almost all day, they are putting away the feed. I'm hoping they just need more time to figure it out, especially since one of my cockerals runs to them when they are out in the yard. Will they figure it out, or not? Help!

 

[BirdHead]

Of course they'll figure it out, natural instincts! And since you've already tooken the steps necessary, you're doing it right. I normally wait till juveniles get home set before letting them run, at first they act scared but really want to be out, may be good to let them out and walk them back in the coop day to day or every other day. Break them into the habit, I had mine trained enough they wouldn't go near certain spots in the yard, nor leave the yard (City yard). Then when it was time to come in I just walk them (rooster too) back towards the pen and they walk the rest themselves in and wait patiently for the rest haha

 

[bobbi-j]

They'll figure it out. Chickens don't do change well, so it takes a bit of time. Can you move the feeder outside the coop/run and maybe lure them out that way?

 

[bizzynik]

We thought about living the water outside, just didn't know if that would help. Unfortunately the feeder is wall mounted.

 

[FlyWheel]

They'll get the idea. Especially after they see how much fun their flock mates are having! Give them time, as one poster said; chickens don't do change well.

 

[bobbi-j]

Do you have, or can you get a rubber black feed pan, unused oil pan, or some other shallow container that you can put feed in temporarily so you can have it out in the run?

 

[aart]

Last week it was time to integrate them in the same coop

A week isn't long, just give them time.