Confused about sleeping arrangement when integrating chicks

[rosemarythyme]

The photos help a lot. I agree that maybe cardboard dividers would help on the roost when the time comes, but more likely the fact that you have 3 separate roosts should be enough to give the babies space away from the hens when the time comes.

I'd still work on run integration as more space = easier integration. I can't really tell from the photos but if you don't already have clutter in the run I'd add some to break up line of sight and give the babies places to hide. The chicks may wander into the coop to explore and that's fine, but I wouldn't keep them in there overnight yet. You want to make sure they get along fairly well outside first, so they're safe, before locking them into a smaller space at night.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

I didn't read all responses. Once we did the integration inside run/coop, we still had to physically move the babies inside the coop/roost bar for a few days. This new set is proving difficult lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

Once we did the integration inside run/coop, we still had to physically move the babies inside the coop/roost bar for a few days. This new set is proving difficult lol

I find that I only need to move chicks inside on the first night, but that's after they've been with the flock all day for a couple of weeks so they're inclined to follow the hens around to see what they're doing.

I also lock up the brooder so that's no longer an option.

Photo below was taken the 2nd night after the brooder outside was locked up. While the chicks weren't going to be able to cage themselves (the door was shut) they did go into the coop on their own at dusk, and I ended up finding them sleeping right next to the cage (as I also don't really have room for a dog crate in a coop, I use a hamster cage):

Three nights after the above photo, this is what I found at dusk:

 

[SJaneDoe]

Thanks everyone. I know 5 nest boxes is overkill for so few hens, that's just how many the building plans had.

I will try the visual divider between roosts and keep the automatically light in mind too.

See if you can partition your run with a stretch of chicken wire, and have the chicks spend their days on one side (with food, water and shade/shelter), while the adults can get used to them without being able to get at them.

Yes, this is my plan. I will make the opening to the new run small at first so the big girls can't get in.

I'd suggest removing the front roost entirely. That will open up more space, so you can fit the dog crate in.

Hm, interesting idea. I hadn't thought of doing this because in the past when I had more chickens the middle roost was always empty but the front and back ones were preferred by different hens.