First day of my chickens

[black_cat]

Thank you very much for responding so quickly.
They have a fenced area of about 20 square meters to graze or hunt bugs. It would be inhumane to have the animals in a small and closed place.View attachment 2374705

Is this area roofed by anything, including netting? Can they get out of it? My inexpert opinion would say to keep them in the coop for tomorrow, and let them out into the fenced area for some bits at a time-if you have to leave, they go back in the coop. Then you can slowly make it longer periods of time that they are out, and once you know they will go back in at night, you can let them out without you watching.

 

[aart]

It would be inhumane to have the animals in a small and closed place.

Depends on the space.
It should be of decent size with lots of ventilation.

 

[rosemarythyme]

IF there is enough light, ventilation and space in the coop, you can lock them in for 2-3 days to home them to it, and they should want to return to it at night after that.

Alternatively you could give them access to the run and then herd them in at dusk if needed.

I just wouldn't free range right off the bat - they won't know where "home" is because they won't yet consider the coop as home.

 

[Andresm]

Is this area roofed by anything, including netting? Can they get out of it? My inexpert opinion would say to keep them in the coop for tomorrow, and let them out into the fenced area for some bits at a time-if you have to leave, they go back in the coop. Then you can slowly make it longer periods of time that they are out, and once you know they will go back in at night, you can let them out without you watching.

Yes, it is closed at the top with mesh, at a height of 1.5 meters to 2 meters.
I have opened the door but they do not come out. I am not going to force them, so if they want to stay a couple of days in the henhouse then I will leave them. If you dare to go out and do not know how to return in the afternoon, I will help you to return.
I'll tell you how they adapt.
Thanks for the comments.

 

[Andresm]

IF there is enough light, ventilation and space in the coop, you can lock them in for 2-3 days to home them to it, and they should want to return to it at night after that.

Alternatively you could give them access to the run and then herd them in at dusk if needed.

I just wouldn't free range right off the bat - they won't know where "home" is because they won't yet consider the coop as home.

What the coop is, I think it is small so they can stay for many days, although it has enough lighting and ventilation, so I have opened the door for them to do whatever they want. If you leave your "house", I will help you enter in the afternoon.

 

[Andresm]

Depends on the space.
It should be of decent size with lots of ventilation.

Yes, you are right, but they will always be better running around the field.
I think I have given them enough ventilation, they have vents in the area of the nests and I made holes in the upper part of two walls of the coop, above the heads of the hens.

 

[aart]

Yes, you are right, but they will always be better running around the field.
I think I have given them enough ventilation, they have vents in the area of the nests and I made holes in the upper part of two walls of the coop, above the heads of the hens.

I guess you don't have to worry about snow in Spain.
@Shadrach is in Spain and has good advice.
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[black_cat]

Yes, it is closed at the top with mesh, at a height of 1.5 meters to 2 meters.
I have opened the door but they do not come out. I am not going to force them, so if they want to stay a couple of days in the henhouse then I will leave them. If you dare to go out and do not know how to return in the afternoon, I will help you to return.
I'll tell you how they adapt.
Thanks for the comments.

Wonderful! You should be fine letting them roam, then. Hopefully they'll venture out soon!

 

[Shadrach]

Hello @Andresm
It helps if we know where abouts in Spain you are as aart mentions above.
I'm in Catalonia, between Barcelona and Girona.
Before you make any decisions about how to keep your chickens I would find out what kind of predators you have in your area. If for example you have foxes that hunt in daylight hours then fully free ranging isn't a good idea. If like me you have hawks then where you free range and the available cover is important.
For now I would just open the coop hatch door and let them decide for themselves when to come out. I would be tempted to leave food at the bottom of the ramp to the coop.
The bad news is the chicken wire you have around the run and it's support structure is not going to deter many predators. They will dig under it or for dogs, just knock it over.

 

[Andresm]

Hello @Andresm
It helps if we know where abouts in Spain you are as aart mentions above.
I'm in Catalonia, between Barcelona and Girona.
Before you make any decisions about how to keep your chickens I would find out what kind of predators you have in your area. If for example you have foxes that hunt in daylight hours then fully free ranging isn't a good idea. If like me you have hawks then where you free range and the available cover is important.
For now I would just open the coop hatch door and let them decide for themselves when to come out. I would be tempted to leave food at the bottom of the ramp to the coop.
The bad news is the chicken wire you have around the run and it's support structure is not going to deter many predators. They will dig under it or for dogs, just knock it over.

hello @Sadrac, what a joy to have countrymen for this wonderful forum.
I am concerned about what you tell me about the mesh, although I have buried about 40 cm outside the corral. made of mesh and covered with stones and sand, I am afraid that it might be thrown or broken. I think I will reinforce it for the sites that I see weaker.
Today has been their first day and they have not wanted to go out, nor have I forced them not to stress them and to get used to their house. It reassures me that they have all been eating and drinking from the trough that I installed inside them and now, that it is already dusk, three have climbed on the perch and the other I do not think it will take long to do so.
Tomorrow I hope they come out on their own feet, but if they don't, I'll wait another day to "help" them out.
With regard to predators, this is a mountain range, and there is everything, by land and by air. I hope I am lucky and have closed everything well.
Thank you for your comments.