Coop update!

[Sonflowerjoela]

Thanks to a wonderful neighbor my new coop was moved yesterday. I spent the morning cutting hole in fencing for the door. My girls are really curious, not quite sure what that is! So I plan to get a few more chickens. I will start them in chicken tractor so they can get use to each other. How long should I wait to get them?

 

[Sonflowerjoela]

It was not fun last night when it was time to go in for the night. They wanted to go in chicken tractor! I had to pick them up and put them in the new coop. I’m now waiting for daylight to see how they are today.

 

[aart]

How long should I wait to get them?

I'd wait until after winter is over.

How many do you have now?
How big is that coop and is there adequate ventilation in there?

 

[Sonflowerjoela]

I'd wait until after winter is over.

How many do you have now?
How big is that coop and is there adequate ventilation in there?

@aart I only have 2 chickens now. The coop is 4 x 6. Yes there is adequate ventilation. The chicken I would be getting are several months old. Not babies. Does that make a difference?

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Yes there is adequate ventilation

Can we get some more pictures please? As someone who has a metal coop, I understand how important it is

 

[aart]

The chicken I would be getting are several months old. Not babies. Does that make a difference?

Age doesn't really matter, tho I've found that tiny chicks are the easiest to integrate, if you can get the coop set up for it.

Adding older birds always carries the risk of bringing in pests and disease.
So consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article


Any new birds will be 'intruders' and likely to be strongly opposed by the existing occupants.

Here's some tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/