Coop Addition and Chick Integration (get a beverage... this might be long)

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks for explaining the full plan, I think for the most part it should work as you have outlined in the time frame you're hoping for. "By 8 weeks" is what's recommended for early integration as chicks have a harder time hiding the bigger they get (anywhere they'll fit, the adult will fit too).

I'll touch on a few points below.

When it's time for the actual contact integration, I plan on moving the chicks to the new coop to roost after they have all gone to sleep. I hope to have all of the chicks roosting by then. They are currently all roosting in the brooder at night. I hope that translates easily in the coop.

Since it wasn't specified, I'll tell you how I handle it - I don't put the chicks in the coop with the adults until after they've been safely interacting out in the run for a couple weeks. But certainly you don't need to wait as long (for me, the determining factor is temperature, as I integrate younger and earlier in the season, so the chicks need to be able to handle overnight temps without heat). I think if they're okay for a few days in the run together, you can start thinking about moving them to her coop.

If you're lucky they may follow her into the new coop without your interference, but don't expect that to happen either. Having an adult that roosts does help with getting chicks to roost though. On the other hand I find that roosting in brooder doesn't correlate to roosting in a coop. It doesn't hurt to "train" them in the brooder but it may or may not inspire them to roost once they're out of the brooder.

As for "clutter," each run will be set up with food (probably three feeders), water, foot baths (for the heat), dust baths, swings, tree stumps & branches for perching on or hiding behind. I attached the plans showing all of these amenities as they are in Lucy's current run and my tentative plans for them in the new run in my previous incomplete reply, but I'll include here to save chasing it down. I also added pics of the entire compound I took earlier this evening. The amenities are cluttery, but I'll check out the link to clutter ideas.

As its currently laid out, having 3 feeders all next to each other in the middle is the same as having 1 big one. Spread out the feeders and have them behind "stuff." I have nearly all my clutter away from walls as it 1) prevents dead ends in which chicks can get trapped and bullied without being able to escape and 2) makes all sides of the clutter item usable as cover.

I don't know how to provide an escape route for Lucy in case she's the one who needs it.

She shouldn't, not with 6-8 week old chicks, unless you have a super amped up cockerel in the batch.

If I give Lucy a week to acclimate to the new section, the chicks can move in at the cusp of six and seven weeks, making them at least eight weeks old after two weeks of "see but no touch." That should be okay, shouldn't it?

Yes, sounds good.

What do you think about acclimating the chicks to the heat by moving them to the garage for a week? It's slightly cooler there than the coop and slightly warmer than the guest room (which is significantly warmer than the rest of the house).

That sounds like a good idea, though I hope someone from a hotter climate pipes in as my area is generally moderate so acclimating chicks to heat is not something I have experience with.

 

[Dogs Cows Chicken]

As its currently laid out, having 3 feeders all next to each other in the middle is the same as having 1 big one. Spread out the feeders and have them behind "stuff." I have nearly all my clutter away from walls as it 1) prevents dead ends in which chicks can get trapped and bullied without being able to escape and 2) makes all sides of the clutter item usable as cover.

I've now been to the clutter thread and get what you're saying. I have quite a few ideas churning away... multi purpose obstacles to protect the eater not the feed. I can move the chest baths, waterer, foot baths and (maybe) stumps out from the edges a bit and stash feed bowls behind some plywood scraps or pallets against the walls.

I was thinking that while they are separated I should feed everyone fairly close to the barrier so they get used to eating together. Does that
make sense? I was thinking the same for scratch and treats.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I was thinking that while they are separated I should feed everyone fairly close to the barrier so they get used to eating together. Does that
make sense? I was thinking the same for scratch and treats.

Yes a lot of folks do that to force the birds to spend time next to each other and get them comfortable being near one another while keeping them safe.